The most troublesome part in the development of a component-based engine models is the compressor module because of the strong dependence of its performance on rotational speed. For this purpose, a performance characteristics estimation method of multi-stage axial flow compressors are proposed in this paper. The newly proposed estimation technique of average infinitesimal stage characteristics satisfies the analogy criterion perfectly due to the use of a new conception of infinitesimal stage and the improved analogy theory. The overall compressor performance characteristics are estimated through a stage by stage calculation based on the improved analogy theory and the average stage characteristics. To minimize the error between the calculated characteristic and the tested characteristic of the compressor at high rotational speeds, the average stages performance characteristics are identified using an optimization method. The technique improves the traditional scaling method by taking into account the effects of air density change and rotational speeds, and it makes use of available data efficiently. In addition, it reflects the own performance characteristics of the original compressor. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.