The bistatic scattering strengthS(φi,φs) = 10 logs (φi,φs) of the ocean surface has been measured in12‐octbands over the frequency range 62.5–4000 Hz for a wide range of grazing angles of incidence and scattering, φiand φs. Explosive charges at the bottom of a vertical string of hydrophones were used to ensonify the surface. Concurrent measurements of surface roughness were taken with an accelerometer float.Swas obtained for rms waveheightsĤbetween 1.9 and 2.8 ft and rms omnidirectional slopes tanΘ̂ between 0.10 and 0.13. For frequencies between 62.5 and 1440 Hz, the bistatic scattering coefficientsmay be represented in the forms=CeD[sinφi+sinφ2]2, whereCandDare functions of the surface roughness parameterskĤand tanΘ̂. The functions have one form when surface shadowing of the scattered radiation is weak (φi>Θ̂, φs>Θ̂), and another form when surface shadowing is strong (φi>Θ̂, φs⪅ Θ̂).