This study has been conducted in order to develop a temperature-controlled round pan diffuser with variable-openings. Flow visualization was performed to investigate the airflow patterns according to gap openings. The velocity profiles were measured using an omni-directional anemometer for two cases, i.e. a horizontal and a vertical discharge conditions. Numerical simulation also confirms there is a narrow range of gap openings where a horizontal discharge shifts to a vertical discharge. The air distribution performance index increases abruptly when the air discharge shifts from vertical to horizontal direction.