A simple scatter model is used to analytically derive the point spread function (PSF) for scattered radiation in diagnostic radiology. The resulting equation is a function of four physical parameters; object thickness, object‐to‐detector distance (air gap), and the linear attenuation coefficients for both primary and scatter radiation. Though the model is based upon single scattering, it is shown that by reducing the scatter attenuation coefficient the analytic model compares well to the multiple scattering PSF determined using Monte Carlo analysis.