Chemical analysis plays an important role in pulp and paper research and in the day‐to‐day operation of pulp and paper mills. It is used in practically every aspect of the papermaking process, including the characterization of raw materials and products, optimization of process parameters, addressing environmental concerns, and diagnosing operation and product quality problems. This article provides an overview of the major types of chemical analyses conducted on pulp and paper matrices. The emphasis is mainly on the principle, significance, and applications of the various analyses. Major areas of application include the analysis of wood pulp, process liquids, paper, and deposits and contaminants. Analytical techniques and instrumentation range from the traditional or standard wet chemical and instrumental methods designed primarily for routine testing in mills to highly sophisticated techniques used mainly for research purposes.