Absolute rate constants and CH,O product yield for the reaction of OH radicals with methanol have been determined using a combined laser photolysis/resonance fluorescence (laser induced fluorescence) technique. The rate coefficient for total OH (k, = k, + k2) is found to be k, = (1.2 i 0.3). lo-" exp[-(810 * 50) K/T] cm3/molecule. s over the temperature range 295-420 K. -The branching ratio of CH,O formation, 9 = k, /k, + k,, where (1) OH + CH,OH -+ CH,O + H,O and (2) OH + CH,OH -+ CH20H + H,O, is found to be 0. 1 1 f 0.03 and 0.22 f 0.07 at 298 and 393 K, respectively. From the temperature dependence of 9 it is predicted that channel (1) is dominant in the combustion temperature region.