Crystals of the title compound (systematic name: 3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid ethanol monosolvate), C30H48O3·C2H5OH, were obtained from unsuccessful co-crystallization trials. The asymmetric unit contains two symmetry-independent oleanolic acid molecules, as well as two ethanol solvent molecules. Intermolecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds stabilize the crystal packing. In the oleanolic acid molecules, ring C has a slightly distorted envelope conformation, while rings A, B, D and E adopt chair conformations and rings D and E are cis-fused. Both independent ethanol molecules are orientationally disordered [occupancy ratios of 0.742 (8):0.258 (8) and 0.632 (12):0.368 (12).