Abstract Flow in manifold systems is encountered in designs of various industrial processes, such as fuel cells, microreactors, microchannels, plate heat exchanger, and radial flow reactors. The uniformity of flow distribution in manifold is a key indicator for performance of the process equipment. In this paper, a discrete method for a U-type arrangement was developed to evaluate the uniformity of the flow distribution and the pressure drop and then was used for direct comparisons between the U-type and the Z-type. The uniformity of the U-type is generally better than that of the Z-type in most of cases for small ζ and large M . The U-type and the Z-type approach each other as ζ increases or M decreases. However, the Z-type is more sensitive to structures than the U-type and approaches uniform flow distribution faster than the U-type as M decreases or ζ increases. This provides a simple yet powerful tool for the designers to evaluate and select a flow arrangement and offers practical measures for industrial applications.