The x‐ray bremsstrahlung from 4 to 50 keV emitted by laser‐produced plasmas has been measured using a Bragg crystal spectrometer. Direct spectral information was obtained in contrast to earlier filter spectroscopy. Measurements were made with focal spot powers of 1016W/cm2of 1.06‐&mgr;m radiation and 1014W/cm2of 10.6‐&mgr;m radiation. A definite suprathermal electron component was observed.