The effect of granule strength on the strength of a tablet compressed under a certain force was examined. Crushing strength and diametral compression tests were carried out to assess granule and tablet strength, respectively. When granules were weak, tablet strength increased with granule strength. In some powder/polymer binder systems, a further increase in granule strength led to tablets with maximal strength, which then decreased. It was apparent that hard granules were difficult to deform by compression, and the resulting tablets fractured at the boundary between granules.