Tablets of dibasic calcium phosphate containing varying proportions of intra- to extragranular maize starch were prepared at three compaction pressures. The surface area generated per tablet after 10 and 30 min of disintegration was measured with an automated counter by a new technique. The optimum starch combination that produced the maximum surface area in a tablet formulation was either 2.5% intra-12.5% extragranular or 15% intragranular starch alone. The distribution of starch did not affect the resultant strength of the tablets, and maximum generation of surface area was achieved by compacting the tablets at as low a pressure as practical.