The characteristics of the boiling curve for forced-convection surface boiling are examined in detail. In the region of low wall superheat, the heat transfer can be predicted by available correlations for forced convection. An analysis is presented for the inception of first significant boiling. Experimental results are in good agreement with analytical predictions. Pool-boiling data were taken under saturated and subcooled conditions for surfaces similar to those used in forced-convection surface boiling. These data indicate that the curves for forced-convection surface boiling cannot be based on data for saturated pool boiling but must rather be based on actual forced-convection data.