Design parameters for suction channels of process centrifugal compressors were investigated, and an optimization method to enhance stage efficiency by using the new design parameters was proposed. From results of computational fluid dynamics, the passage sectional area ratios $A_c/A_e$, $A_e/A_s$ and $A_c/A_s$ were found to be the dominant parameters for the pressure loss and circumferential flow distortion, where $A_c$, $A_e$ and $A_s$ are passage sectional areas for the casing upstream side, casing entrance and impeller eye, respectively. The Base suction channel was optimized using the new design parameters, and the Base and Optimized types were tested. Test results showed that the Optimized suction channel achieved 3.8% higher stage efficiency than the Base suction channel while maintaining the same operating range.