The theory of the measurement of luminescent quantum yields using chemical actinometry is described. The sample's emission intensity is measured by nearly completely surrounding the sample with an actinometer solution, and the excitation intensity is directly measured with the same type of actinometer. The ratio of the measured sample emission intensity corrected for the fraction escaping through the excitation ports to the measured excitation intensity is the absolute luminescence yield. Equations, a suitable cell design, and computer calculated correction factors for different cell dimensions and optical densities are given. The absolute yield of the actinometer is not needed, only its relative response with wavelength. New quantum-flat actinometers which should greatly simplify the measurements are described.