The characteristics of ultrasonic deflocculation are investigated quantitatively by measuring, with a Coulter counter, the change in the size distribution of flocs of polystyrene latex spheres exposed to an ultrasonic field. It is found that the degree of deflocculation is determined by the total sonic energy per unit volume radiated to the floc solution, irrespective of the volume and shape of the container, the ultrasonic radiation period and the intensity of the sound, provided that the sizes of the constituent particles of the flocs are the same. The mechanism of sonic deflocculation differs from the mechanism of hydrodynamic deflocculation.