The present experimental and numerical study aims to study the effect of transverse forces on the velocity of nanoparticles through a single fracture. The velocity of nanoparticles is computed with the effect of van der Waals and gravity force through a single fracture based on the parallel plate model for a fixed half fracture aperture and temperature, a selected nanofluid (type of nanoparticles and dispersing medium) over a range of particles sizes. Particle size limit is identified as the particle size beyond which the nanoparticles have negligible velocity through the fracture. Effect of half fracture aperture and temperature on particle size limit is studied. Finally, the numerical model is applied to experimental data obtained for a range of silane coated silica and alumina nanofluids prepared in distilled water and formation water of an Indian carbonate reservoir to screen the nanofluids for flooding applications. Copyright © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.