The mechanism of shrinkage cracking is discussed with a simple member, which is fully restrained and subjected only to an axial restraining force caused by shrinkage, while a simple procedure is presented for the determination of the number and spacing of the cracks and the average crack width. With the simple model, some examples are shown to compare the provisions for minimum shrinkage and temperature reinforcement in GB 50010-2002 Code, ACI 318-02 Code and AS 3600-1988 Code. The results show that the provisions in GB 50010-2002 Code are too weak in comparison with the others. Finally, some recommendations are proposed.