Abstract: A theoretical model of groove-textured gas face seal was established, the finite difference method was employed to solve the hydrodynamic lubrication equation and obtained the dimensionless pressure distribution of the face seal. The effects of groove width and depth on the open force, friction torque and stiffness for different groove patterns were investigated. The results show that the open force and the stiffness for different groove patterns first increased, and then decreased with the increase of groove width and depth, while the friction torque keeps a downward trend. Grooves distributed along the radial direction can obtain the optimum comprehensive properties.