Iridium(IV) gives a deep red complex with 3‐nitroso‐4‐hydroxy‐5,6‐benzo‐coumarin when heated on a boiling water‐bath for about 10 minutes. The complex is soluble in 50% aqueous acetone medium and exhibits maximum absorption at 520nm. Beer's law is obeyed up to 10.5 ppm of iridium at 520 nm. Molar absorptivity is 1.28×104 litre mole‐1 cm‐t and the sensitivity of the colour reaction is 0.015 μg Ir(IV)/cm2. The composition of the complex is 1:3 as determined by Job's and logarithmic methods. Common anions and cations do not interfere in the determination.