The potassium halides and the alkali iodides have been examined by electron impact in the range 0–50 eV. Both electron transmission and backscattering currents (It, Ib) have been measured while sweeping the modulated accelerating or retarding potentials (Vi, Vr). The characteristic energy loss spectra are presented as dIt/dVi vs Vi or dIb/dVr vs Vr. The principal events, in order of increasing Vi or decreasing Vr, are: electron trapping by cations to ns 2S and np 2P alkalis, and possibly higher; usually three resonances attributed to low-lying states of halide ions, possibly 3P2, 1, 0 among others (triplet exciton); the fundamental singlet exciton; the vacuum level; the higher fundamental singlet exciton and vacuum level involving halogen ns 4P. The crystal electron affinities have been evaluated by two methods.