The transport selectivity of different cations through cation exchange membranes (CEMs) could be estimated with the partition coefficient (𝐾 ! " ) and the cation mobility ratio in the membrane (𝑢 # " 𝑢 # ! ⁄ ), which in turn can be related to corresponding membrane conductivity and dimensional swelling degree data [Journal of Membrane Science, 2020, 597, 117645]. This method has been validated in two hydrocarbon-based CEMs, and the obtained K + /Na + selectivity equals to the one obtained with conventional electrodialysis (ED) method. However, the K + /Na + selectivity of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes, and the bi-/monovalent cation (Mg 2+ /Na + ) selectivity of all three types of CEMs estimated with this ionic conductivity experimental approach deviate noticeably from corresponding values obtained with ED. In this work, it is proved that this deviation is mostly due to the simplification of cation activity coefficients in the membrane. Here, the cation activity coefficients in three types of CEMs are calculated according to Manning`s counter-ion condensation model. In this model, the Manning parameter (𝜉) characterizing the dimensionless linear charge density is determined by the