A method of modeling delays in an integrated circuit design is disclosed that may be used to reduce the computation time of path delays in an integrated circuit design. A method of modeling delays in an integrated circuit design includes the steps of receiving as input a description of an integrated circuit design; identifying at least one small net in the integrated circuit design from the description; approximating an effective capacitance of the at least one small net by the total capacitance; and approximating an interconnect delay of the at least one small net by zero.