Detection and capture of toxic nitrogen oxides (NO x) is important for emissions control of exhaust gases and general public health. The ability to directly electrically detect trace (0.5-5 ppm) NO 2 by a metal-organic framework (MOF)-74-based sensor at relatively low temperatures (50 °C) is demonstrated via changes in electrical properties of M-MOF-74, M = Co, Mg, Ni. The magnitude of the change is ordered Ni > Co > Mg and explained by each variant's NO 2 adsorption capacity and specific chemical interaction. Ni-MOF-74 provides the highest sensitivity to NO 2 ; a 725× decrease in resistance at 5 ppm NO 2 and detection limit <0.5 ppm, levels relevant for industry and public health. Furthermore, the Ni-MOF-74-based sensor is selective to NO 2 over N 2 , SO 2 , and air. Linking this fundamental research with future technologies, the high impedance of MOF-74 enables applications requiring a near-zero power sensor or dosimeter, with the active material drawing <15 pW for a macroscale device 35 mm 2 with 0.8 mg MOF-74. This represents a 10 4-10 6 × decrease in power consumption compared to other MOF sensors and demonstrates the potential for MOFs as active components for long-lived, near-zero power chemical sensors in smart industrial systems and the internet of things.