Reaction behavior of zirconium and hafnium with 4-(2pyrldylazo)resorcinol Is established under various conditions. Optimum conditions for a very sensitive spectrophotometric procedure are outlined for the determination of zirconium and hafnium. Zirconium and hafnium react quantitatively with the reagent In alkaline pH from 8 to 9.2 and 8 to 9.8, respectively, to form 1:2 water-soluble complexes. The molar absorptivity for zirconium and hafnium Is 66 000 and 77 400, respectively. The order of addition of the reagent, metal Ion, and buffer solution Is evaluated. It Is concluded that both zirconium and hafnium solutions must be maintained at higher acidities to react quantitatively with the reagent. A number of foreign Ions are tested for their Interference and the use of masking agents and selective extractive agents Is outlined. The relative standard deviations are ±0.5 % and ±0.7 for the determination of 30 pq of zirconium and 40 pg of hafnium, respectively.