Both Knudsen and bulk diffusion mechanisms are taken into account in the anode diffusivity measurement in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The correlation of anode parameters including pore size, porosity, tortuosity and thickness with the effective diffusivity is then explored analytically. Through quantitative analysis, limiting current density and concentration polarization are investigated with various SOFC anode structures. Our work improves the understanding of the gas diffusion and electrochemical performances of SOFCs with various electrodes. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.