In the title ylide, C31H28ClO2P [common name α-acetyl-α-p-chloro­benzoyl­methyl­enetri(p-tol­yl)phospho­rane], the dihedral angle between the 4-chloro­phenyl ring and that of the ylide moiety is 66.15 (10)°. The geometry around the P atom is slightly distorted tetra­hedral [angle range = 105.22 (8)–115.52 (9)°] and the carbonyl O atoms are syn-oriented with respect to the P atom. The ylide group is close to planar [maximum deviation from the least-squares plane = 0.006 (2) Å] and the P—C, C—C and C=O bond lengths are consistent with electron delocalization involving the O atoms.