In this study, a mathematical model to simulate the drying of paddy (Oryza sativa L.) in a continuous plug-flow fluidised bed dryer is presented. Equipment and material models were applied to describe the process. The equipment model was based on the differential equations obtained by applying mass and energy balances to each element of the dryer. In the case of the material model, mass and heat transfer rates in a single isolated particle were considered. Mass and heat transfer within the particles was described by analytical solutions with constant effective transport coefficients. To simulate the dryer, the material model was implemented in the equipment model to describe the whole process. Calculation results were verified by comparison with experimental data from the literature. There was very good agreement between experimental data and simulation. The effects of gas temperature and velocity, particle diameter, dry solid flow and solid temperature on the drying process were investigated. An increase in gas temperature induces faster drying. As the particle diameter was increased, the drying process slowed down. Larger particles contain much longer diffusional paths within the solid, thus increasing internal resistance against mass transfer. It was found that the changes in gas velocity, dry solids flow, and the solid temperature had essentially no effect on the drying process. The present model could be a useful tool for process exploration and optimisation of this type of dryer.