Abstract. In order to investigate the characteristics of planar free jet flows, the Monotonically Integrated Large Eddy Simulation (MILES) method with the high-resolution space-time conservation element/solution element (CE/SE) scheme was used to simulate the two-dimensional free jet flows. For free jet flows within the Reynolds number range 35300~2200, the flow structures, averaged and instant velocity, turbulence intensity, velocity profiles of different cross-sections were examined respectively. The simulation results agree well with the experiment data. A region of constant height exists right after the jet outlet, in which the average centerline velocity and turbulence intensity maintains same with the jet outlet, and the instant fluctuation amplitudes are also small. For turbulent flows, the length of the undisturbed region is equal to the length of region of constant height. While near the laminar region, the length of undisturbed region is slightly larger than the length of zone of constant height. The vortex structures start to generate after the undisturbed region, develop coherently in the region of flow establishment, and break down gradually in the region of fully established flow region. As the Reynolds number increases, the length of zone of constant height, the length of undisturbed region and the length of potential core region all decrease correspondingly.