Abstract Reverse flow-injection analysis (rFIA) involves injection of the detection reagent into a mobile phase of sample. rFIA is one of the FIA modes used to minimize reagent consumption, decrease sample dispersion, improve mixing efficiency and enhance the sensitivity. This simple, inexpensive approach is also applied to multi-component analysis by sequential injection of different reagents in the flowing stream of the sample. rFIA is particularly important in water analysis due to the abundance of the sample. We describe several methods for determination of cations, anions, and organic substances. We also review other applications, such as pharmaceutical, biomedical and industrial analysis.