We compare recent developments in the numerical prediction of post-glacial sea-level changes and comment on the controversies associated with these developments. We conclude that: (1) the broad-shelf effect discussed by Peltier and Drummond (2002) in the context of water-load modelling at migrating shorelines is incorporated into the sea-level algorithms of Johnston (1993) and Milne et al. (1999); and (2) the procedure used by Yokoyama et al. (2000) to infer an ice-equivalent post-LGM sea-level rise of 130-135 m is technically sound. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.