A rapid method for obtaining the Seebeck coefficient is described. A Seebeck voltage obtained across a sample with respect to one material of a thermocouple is plotted against that obtained across the sample with respect to the second thermocouple material on an X‐Y recorder as the temperature gradient across the sample is slowly varied. The slope of this curve, which is not dependent upon accurately matched thermocouples, yields the Seebeck coefficient of the sample. This slope can be measured at a point corresponding to zero &Dgr;T.