We classify graph C * -algebras, namely, Cuntz-Krieger algebras associated to the Bass-Hashimoto edge incidence operator of a finite graph, up to strict isomorphism. This is done by a purely graph theoretical calculation of the K-theory of the C * -algebras and the method also provides an independent proof of the classification up to Morita equivalence and stable equivalence of such algebras, without using the boundary operator algebra. A direct relation is given between the K 1 -group of the algebra and the cycle space of the graph.