An axisymmetric divertor is investigated over a wide range of plasma parameters in the DIVA tokamak. Empirical scaling for scrape-off-layer plasma parameters is obtained. In an optimum discharge, 75% of the energy loss by conduction and convection and 33% of the total particle loss are guided into the divertor. By reducing the plasma-wall interactions and shielding impurity influx from the plasma, the divertor decreases both low- and high-Z impurities. Consequently, the radiation loss is reduced by a factor of 2–4, and the energy confinement time increases by a factor of 2.5.