Numerical estimation was used to determine adsorption isotherm parameters of a single-component in a normal-phase system. The distribution isotherm of methyl deoxycholate was described between the mobile phase containing hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol with varied concentration and a silica gel adsorbent. The effect of the mobile phase composition on the isotherm parameters and the band profiles was investigated. The results obtained were used to simulate the overload gradient elution. The validity of the method proposed was verified by comparison of the computer simulations with the experimental band profiles.