A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace nitrite was studied. The method is based on the diazo-reaction of methylene violet with nitrite in hydrochloric acid medium. The linear range for the determination is 8 similar to 440 mu g/L NO2-. The limit of detection is 8 mu g/L NO2-. The method has been applied to the determination of trace nitrite in water. The mechanism of reaction is discussed.