The influence of uniform upstream transpiration on downstream heat transfer at a vertical plate in free convection is investigated numerically. The governing equations in their von Mises form are solved using a simple finite difference scheme for Pr=0.72, in the blowing parameter range, - 1.9<Cx<1.9. Experiments are conducted to verify the numerical predictions for uniform upstream blowing case. It is found that upstream transpiration effect persists upto a very considerable distance downstream of the discontinuity where transpiration ceases. Upstream suction has (relatively) less influence than upstream blowing. The down-stream heat transfer depends not only on the upstream transpiration velocity, but also on the length over which transpiration is applied. © 1985 Springer-Verlag.