Varietal differences of grain filling duration and rate are generally recognized in rice (Oryza sativa L.). But the differences of grain filling characteristics between the parts within a panicle might be present since it takes 6-8 days to finish anthesis in a panicle. To elucidate this, 6 Japonica and 6 Japonica/Indica varieties were grown under three nitrogen levels at the Experimental Farm of Chungbuk National University in 1986, and grain filling characteristics of top, middle and bottom parts of a panicle were analyzed. Rice grain filling duration could be divided into 3 phases, i.e., Lag phase(LP) of 5 days after heading. Linear increasing period (LIP) of 5-20 days after heading and Late filling period (LFP) thereafter. Grain weight difference between the panicle parts was greater during LIP in all the varieties and was decreased during LFP. The difference was greater in Japonica/Indica varieties. Samgangbyeo and Seomjinbyeo had the shortest and the longest grain filling durations with 22.6 and 37.1 days, respectively. In average, grain filling duration of the bottom part of a panicle was 1-2 days shorter than that of top or middle part. The differences were negligible in Daecheongbyeo, Taebaegbyeo and Milyang 23, while it was greater in Tongil with 4.9 days. Grain filling rates were ranged from 0.612 to 1.097 mgㆍgrain-1 ㆍday-1 ㆍMilyang 23 showed the lowest rate with 0.612-0.682 mgㆍgrain-1 ㆍday-1 , while the rates of Baegyangbyeo, Yongmoonbyeo, Samgangbyeo, Nongbaeg and Daeseongbyeo were about 1 mgㆍgrain-1 ㆍday-1 ㆍGrain filling rate of bottom part of a panicle was lower than that of top or middle part. The difference was samll in Nongbaeg and Daeseongbyeo, while it was the greatest in Tongil with 0.222 mgㆍgrain-1 ㆍday-1 . Grain filling duration and rate were not afftected by nitrogen level, but varietal and spatial differences of grain filling characteristics were highly significant. However, the spatial difference of grain filling rates within a variety was not significant. Grain filling characteristics of each part of a panicle were significantly correlated (r=0.7207-0.9879) with those of a whole panicle.