Black iron oxide pigment has been successfully prepared by traditional method. Ferrous sulphate was used as the starting iron source. The effect of amount of acid, type and amount of alkali and oxidizing agent on colour and yield were also studied. It was found that, the conversion of insitu produced ferrous chloride to ferrosoferric oxide yielded brilliant colour hue than that produced directly from ferrous sulphate. The produced ferrosoferric oxide were analyzed for purity and characterized for physical properties to be used as a pigment. The prepared samples were found to be comparable with BAYER bayferrox 318. Statistical evaluation also confirmed the experimental result. Key words : Black oxide pigment, Optical properties, Ferrous sulphate, Oxidizing agent DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v43i2.962 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 43(2), 183-196, 2008