In this study, the friction effect on the powdered metal compaction process has been analyzed by applying finite element methods. A plasticity theory applicable to powdered metal compaction is summarized and a variational form for finite element analysis is described. The compaction processes of the axisymmetric solid cylinder are simulated for different compact geometries in single-action pressing. Efforts are focused on the pressure transmitted between the upper and lower punches through the compact and density distributions within the compacts. The numerical results show that: (1) the friction condition between the metal powder and the dies can be determined simply from the force data transmitted by a single such action compaction test and the simulation results; (2) the density variations within the compacts rely on such compact geometry as the height to diameter ratio and the frictional conditions between powder and dies; the (3) additional useful information obtained includes the Min/Max density ratio within the compacts.