The objective of the present investigation was to study the influence of flocculants and deflocculants on refining efficiency. The refining was performed with the aid of a conical refiner at EuroFEX, and the refining response was evaluated as the change in fibre properties and in the mechanical properties of handsheets. Using the same furnish, an unbleached neverdried softwood pulp, the effect of fibre dimensions on floc strength was excluded as much as possible. The degree of flocculation was changed by addition of APAM, CPAM, guar gum and CMC. The floc strength was characterized using a parallel plate rheometer. The added chemicals, except for APAM, affected the relation between power input and gap clearance. To reach a certain power the fibres treated with guar gum, CMC or CPAM required a narrower gap clearance than the reference pulp or when APAM was added to the fibres. Refining at a narrower gap clearance increased the refining efficiency in terms of WRV and paper property development, as long as fibre length reduction could be avoided.