A test tube method for quantitation of Hb A2which is an adaption of the microcolumn chromatographic method is described. The method uses microgranular DEAE cellulose (DE 52, microgranular and preswollen, Whatman Inc.) equilibrated with a0.2M glycine-0.1 KCN solution, pH 7.25. Hemoglobin A and F become bound to the resin while Htr A2is in the supernatant fraction allowing its quantitation. The method is simple, rapid, inexpensive and accurate, and allows one technician to determine the level of Hb A2in at least 50 samples a day. The method can be used with whole blood, hemolysates and blood collected on filter paper.