Fresh concrete exposed to high evaporation rates is prone to plastic shrinkage cracking, especially in structures with large surface area/volume ratios. The present work shows that the reduction of the surface tension of the mixing water is an effective way for decreasing such cracking. In this study, conventional and high strength concretes with superplasticizers and shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRAs) were exposed to drying in the plastic state. Continuous monitoring of the surface displacement facilitated the identification of the different stages of plastic shrinkage cracking. Measurements of capillary pressure, settlement, internal temperature and evaporation rate were also made. The results show the effectiveness of SRAs in reducing plastic shrinkage cracking, even in high strength concrete. This is attributed to the reduction in the evaporation rate, delay of the peak capillary pressure due to the development of menisci in the pores and lower settlement. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.