The moisture sorption isotherms of grain and kernel of barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) were determined at 20, 30, 40, and 50°C. A gravimetric static method was used under 0.112-0.964 water activity (a w ) range for the determination of sorption isotherms. The models were compared using the coefficient of determination (r 2 ), reduced chi-square (χ 2 ) values, and on the basis of residual plots. In grain, modified Chung-Pfost (r 2 >0.99; χ 2 <0.7) and modified Oswin (r 2 >0.99; χ 2 <0.55) models were found suitable for predicting the M e -a w relationship for adsorption and desorption, respectively. Modified Henderson model was found to give the best fit (r 2 >0.99 and χ 2 <0.55) for describing the adsorption and desorption of the kernel. The isosteric heat, calculated using ClausiusClapeyron equation, was varied between 46.76 and 61.71 kJ g −1 mol −1 at moisture levels 7-21% (d.b.) for grain and 47.11-63.52 kJ g −1 mol −1 at moisture level between 4% and 20% (d.b.) for kernel. The monolayer moisture content values ranged from 4.3% to 6% d.b. in the case of adsorption of barnyard millet grain and 5.2-6.6% d. b. in the case of desorption at the temperature ranges of 50-20°C. The monolayer moisture values of barnyard millet kernel ranged from 4.4% to 6.67% d.b. in adsorption and 4.6% to 7.3% d.b. in desorption in the temperature ranges of 50-20°C. Keywords Sorption isotherm . Barnyard millet . Equilibrium moisture content . Water activity . Isosteric heat . Monolayer moisture Nomenclature A, B, C constants used in sorption models P, q, r constants used in monolayer moisture content models a w water activity, decimal ΔH latent heat of vaporization of pure water, kJ mol −1 (43.53 kJ mol −1 at 35°C) M moisture content, % (d.b.) M e equilibrium moisture content, % (d.b.) M ex experimental equilibrium moisture content, decimal M pr predicted equilibrium moisture content, decimal n number of constants N number of observation Q st isosteric heat sorption, kJ g −1 mol −1 q st net isosteric heat of sorption, kJ g −1 mol −1 R universal gas constant, kJ mol −1 K −1 (0.008314 kJ mol −1 K −1 ) r 2 coefficient of determination T temperature, K χ 2 reduced chi-square m o monolayer moisture content, % (d.b.) t temperature,°C