BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Chronic renal patients refer different types of pain, with variable intensity and location. So, this study aimed at assessing pain of chronic renal patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: This is a transversal and analytical study carried out with 88 patients on hemodialysis in a Nephrology Unit of the Northwest region of Rio Grande do Sul. Data were collected from May to July 2014, by means of a Socio-Demographic/ Clinic Characterization Form and McGill Questionnaire, short form, and were analyzed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS: From participants, 57.5% were males, 58.11% were married and 49.4% were elderly. As to pain intensity during session, 75% had no pain, followed by mild pain (17%), moderate (4%) and severe (3.4%) pain. At the end of the session, 58% remained without pain; however approximate percentages of mild or moderate pain (20.5% and 19.3%) and severe pain (2.3%) have shown increased pain intensity during the course of hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: Results are important as subsidies to qualify multiprofessional team actions toward attention to chronic renal patients and extensive to their families. Keywords: Chronic renal disease, Chronic renal failure, Dialysis, Nursing, Pain, Patients. Pain intensity assessment in chronic renal patients on hemodialysis Avaliação da intensidade da dor de pacientes renais crônicos em tratamento hemodialítico