This study investigates the efficacy of acid activated coconut husk (CHA) for the removal of rhodamine-B (Rh-B) dye from aqueous solutions. The CHA prepared was characterized using various techniques: SEM, FTIR EDX, Boehm titration and pH pzc , respectively. The effects of different operational parameters including initial concentration, contact time and solution temperatures were examined. Kinetic data for Rh-B dye adsorption onto CHA fitted best to pseudo-second-order kinetic model considering the correlation regression (R 2 ) and the sum of squares of error values. Adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Temkin isotherm models. Langmuir isotherm was the most fitted among all the models used with maximum monolayer sorption capacity of 1666.67 mg g −1 and the highest regression value of 0.99 indicating that CHA has greater affinity for Rh-B dye adsorption due to increased pore development via acid activation. Thermodynamic studies revealed an endothermic adsorption process with the ΔH 0 value of 62.77 kJ mol −1 . Spontaneity was ascertained based on the negative values of ΔG o (ranging from − 26.38 kJ mol −1 to − 20.93 kJ mol −1 ). The positive value of ΔS 0 (0.276 kJ mol −1 K −1 ) suggests increased randomness that exists between CHA and Rh-B dye. Cost analysis results revealed that CHA is six times cheaper than commercial activated carbon (CAC), providing a savings of 217 US$ kg −1 . CHA adsorbent was found to be suitable for Rh-B dye removal from aqueous solution.