We present a systematic evaluation of the shape of the neutrino energy spectrum produced by beta-decay of 8 B. We place special emphasis on determining the range of uncertainties permitted by existing laboratory data and theoretical ingredients (such as forbidden and radiative corrections). We review and compare the available experimental data on the 8 B(β + ) 8 Be(2α) decay chain. We analyze the theoretical and experimental uncertainties quantitatively. We give a numerical representation of the best-fit (standard-model) neutrino spectrum, as well as two extreme deviations from the standard spectrum that represent the total (experimental and theoretical) effective ±3σ deviations. Solar neutrino experiments that are currently being developed will be able to measure the shape of the 8 B neutrino spectrum above about 5 MeV. An observed distortion of the 8 B solar neutrino spectrum outside the range given

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