the effect of mgo powder on the water demand, bulk density, water absorption and compressive strength of magnesium oxysulfate cement paste as a function of mgo grain sizes has been investigated. in this study three mixes were used. they are composed from an egyptian mgo powder of a grain size < 90 µm with different contents of mgso 4 (16.66, 21.10 and 28.60 m%). the results of compressive strength of cement pastes cured in air at room temperature for 7 days noted that the mix containing 16.66 m% of mgso 4 gives the best compressive strength. the other three mixes (m1, m2 and m3) were prepared with a constant percentage of mgso 4 (16.66 m%) and three different grain sizes of mgo; normal (as received), < 300 µm and < 150 µm. the water demand, bulk density, water absorption and compressive strength of hardened magnesium oxysulfate cement pastes cured in air at room temperature for 3, 7, and 28 days were studied. compressive strength retention coefficient was calculated. the result showed that as the grain size decreases the compressive strength of hardened magnesium oxysulfate cement pastes increases. keywords: grain size, oxysulfate cement, magnesium cement