A versatile spectroscopic flow cell for high pressure liquids and supercritical fluid solutions is described. The cell is capable of being coupled to either standard or fiber optic spectrometers. There are two perpendicular optical paths that are adjustable in length and aperture diameter. The cell has shown it can be used for absorption, emission, or scattering spectroscopy. The design is simple, inexpensive, serviceable, uses conventional materials, and is self aligning. With apertures of 5.7 mm the cell has been tested to pressures up to 500 atm and temperatures up to 90 °C. However, the cell would allow usage at higher temperatures and pressures if desired. ©1998 American Institute of Physics.