We　present　terahertz　pulsed　imaging　(TPI)　as　a　novel　tool　to　quantify　the　hardness　and　surface　density　distribution　of　pharmaceutical　tablets.　Good　agreement　between　the　surface　refractive　index　(SRI)　measured　by　TPI　and　the　crushing　force　measured　from　diametral　compression　tests　was　found　using　a　set　of　tablets　that　were　compacted　at　various　compression　forces.　We　also　found　a　strong　correlation　between　TPI　results　and　tablet　bulk　density,　and　how　these　relate　to　tablet　hardness.　Numerical　simulations　of　tablet　surface　density　distribution　by　finite　element　analysis　exhibit　excellent　agreement　with　the　TPI　measured　SRI　maps.　These　results　show　that　TPI　has　an　advantage　over　traditional　diametral　compression　and　is　more　suitable　for　nondestructive　hardness　and　density　distribution　monitoring　and　control　of　pharmaceutical　manufacturing　processes.　©　2013　Wiley　Periodicals,　Inc.