The colorimetric determination of cobalt with nitroso-R salt (NRS) has been modified and improved by the introduction of extraction of the Co-NRS chelate into a chloroform solution of trioctylmethylammonium chloride. Ammonium phosphate, fluoride and mainly citrate were used for masking iron, nickel, copper and calcium, which under the described conditions do not interfere even in 2000-fold excess. The method is very sensitive and permits determination of about 1 mug of cobalt per ml of the extractant.