['To investigate differences in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of trabecular bone at 1.5T and 3.0T and to specifically study noise effects on the visualization and quantification of trabecular architecture using conventional histomorphometric and nonlinear measures of bone structure.', 'Sagittal MR images of 43 calcaneus specimens (donor age: 81 +/- 10 years) were acquired at 1.5T and 3.0T using gradient echo sequences. Noise was added to obtain six sets of images with decreasing signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Micro-CT images were obtained from biopsies taken from 37 calcaneus samples and bone strength was determined. Morphometric and nonlinear structure parameters were calculated in all datasets.', 'Originally, SNR was 1.5 times higher at 3.0T. In the simulated image sets, SNR was similar at both fields. Trabecular dimensions measured by microCT were adequately estimated by MRI, with residual errors (e(r)), ranging from 16% to 2.7% at 3.0T. Comparing e(r) at similar SNR, 3.0T consistently displayed lower errors than 1.5T (eg, bone fraction at SNR approximately 4: e(r)[3.0T] = 15%; e(r)[1.5T] = 21%, P < 0.05).'] Are advances of 3T MR imaging in visualizing trabecular bone structure of the calcaneus partially SNR-independent : analysis using simulated noise in relation to micro-CT , 1.5T MRI , and biomechanical strength?