The precise knowledge of the values of the optical constants (index of refraction, n, and extinction coe cient, k) for nanostructured porous silicon (nanoPS) is a necessary condition to predict the behavior of any optical and photonic devices based on this material. With this objective in mind, a simulation computational program based on the matrix method was used to determine the values of the optical constants in the visible range of self-standing nanoPS lms from their experimental re ectance and transmittance spectra. Furthermore, the spectral absorption coe cient (α) was determined from the spectral k values, which motivated to the determination of the values and type of bandgap (direct or indirect) for different porosities