Because the tight particle size control of cement mill, lead to cements with relatively narrow particle size distributions (i.e. for a given mean particle size, they have fewer large and small particles). This advantage of cement mill maximizes the strength-production potential the clinker, because large particles are inert. As a rule of thumb, only the outer 7 μm "skin" of each particle hydrates in concrete produced by cement mill, so any particle over 14 μm diameter always leaves an un-reacted core in cement mill. However, the lack of ultra-fine particles can be a disadvantage of cement mill. These particles normally pack the spaces between the larger particles in a cement paste, and if absent, the deficit is the powder grinded in cement mill will made up with extra water, leading to lower strength of products processed by cement mill. This can be remedied by including 5% calcium carbonate in the cement mill: this soft mineral produces adequate ultra-fines on the first pass through the cement mill.

    Typical cement mill power consumption for various degrees of fineness. Actual values vary according to cement mill system efficiency and clinker hardness.