An experimental and theoretical study has been performed with the aim of quantifying pore size distribution curves and correlating them with water and oxygen permeability. Twenty mortars have been investigated which contained Portland cement, blast-furnace slag cement and silica fume as a binder. Admixtures have been used as well. The water-cement ratio varied between 0.4 and 0.75 and two curing conditions were applied. By the use of mercury intrusion porosimetry, the pore size distribution was determined. Water and oxygen permeability have been measured in the steady state. Equivalent pore sizes have been calculated which quantify the pore size distribution by a single number. This number is not a constant but depends on the physical transport mechanism. It is shown that equivalent pore size and porosity together are sufficient to predict the physical properties with an acceptable accuracy.