The radial nonuniformity index (RNI) is a new nondimensional index recently devised to quantify the extent of radial variations of flow parameters in fluidized beds and other multiphase flow systems. The index, defined as the ratio of the standard deviation of the given flow parameter in the radial direction to the maximum practically possible standard deviation of that particular parameter, is shown to be an excellent measure of the radial flow structure. This index allows the use of a single value to summarize the radial variation of a given flow parameter. The higher the value of the RNI the less uniform is the flow, and vice versa. Using this technique, radial distributions of local solids concentration and particle velocities from different circulating fluidized bed systems (gas-solid and liquid-solid, upflow and downflow) were examined. It has been found that the RNI can be confidently related to the flow conditions in the circulating fluidized beds, and more insight understanding has been achieved.