AbstractAn inverse solution has been explicitly derived for two‐dimensional heat conduction in cylindrical coordinates using the Laplace transformation. The applicability of the inverse solution is checked using the numerical temperatures with a normal random error calculated from the corresponding direct solution. For a gradual temperature change in a solid, the surface heat flux and temperature can be satisfactorily predicted, while for a rapid change in the temperature this method needs the help of a time partition method, in which the entire measurement time is split into several partitions. The solution with the time partitions is found to make an improvement in the prediction of the surface heat flux and temperature. It is found that the solution can be applied to experimental data, leading to good prediction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 32(7): 602–617, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.10115