The present paper deals with paints and the development of a method of measurement which may be used to classify paints according to gloss. High gloss, eggshell, flat, semi-gloss, and satin finish are well-known terms for describing glossiness of painted surfaces. Though no quantitative definitions of these terms have been adopted, paint manufacturers have so controlled their products that the greater number of paints marketed under any one of the commonly used gloss terms have had about the same glossiness. The method of measurement and classification of gloss reported here gives results which accord fairly well with the usage of the paint industry. It would be unsafe, however, to extend the method and classification to other types of surfaces without first proving their applicability.