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The article focuses on the review of the usage, uncertainties and scales of diffuse phosphorus (P) models in the U.S. and Europe. Models are distinguished in terms of temporal and spatial scales to illustrate water, sediment and P transport from diffuse sources. It describes that U.S. diffuse models estimate the present daily and annual regular load to know the percent contribution from various nonpoint sources. In Europe, the models are used to record the discharge of P and the naming of critical source areas. It also discusses the need for P model uncertainty assessment as well as ways to improve P models like identifying the critical source areas and P leaching. The advantage and disadvantages of each diffuse model approach and the need for more parsimonious models are also given.