Conversion rate of harmful substances is the principal parameter of catalyst work in respect of ecology. However, resistance of exhaust gas flow through the catalytic converter is also essential problem, apart from its chemical efficiency because fitting the catalyst in exhaust system alters flow characteristic of this system significantly. Catalytic converter can be treated as local or linear resistance element of exhaust system. The first model, in which flow resistance generated by a catalyst is treated as local resistance, is more simplified. Resistance number of the converter was calculated using Darcy model. In the second case, exhaust gas flow resistance through catalyst is treated as linear resistance with energy dissipation (linear frictional resistance) distributed linearly along way of exhaust gas flow. Friction number for the tested converter was calculated and analysed. The problem has been illustrated by results of experimental researches of three-way catalytic converter installed in exhaust system of spark ignition engine and its basic analysis.