The finite element method is used to analyse convective heat transfer in a porous medium. Convection past a vertical surface embedded in the medium and convection in a confined porous medium enclosure are analysed using the above method. The results are compared with those available in the literature and the agreement is found to be good. The method is applicable for two‐dimensional analysis in a porous body of any arbitrary shape. The restriction of the boundary layer assumption is relaxed. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd