Abstract A simple method for the direct determination of niacinamide in pharmaceutical preparations is described. The method involves the reaction of niacinamide in potassium dihydrogen phosphate with cyanogen bromide and barbituric acid. The resulting purple color has a maximum absorbance at 550 m μ . Niacin does not interfere in the reaction unless present at about three times the concentration of that of the amide. The method is accurate and reproducible. Results on multivitamin preparations compare favorably with those by the A.O.A.C. procedure and recoveries of added niacinamide are quantitative.