The charge‐generation energy for commerical selenium xeroradiographic plates has been measured. A new technique based on x‐ray‐induced photocurrents was used as well as conventional xeroradiographic discharge measurements. Using x‐ray spectra typical of medical x‐ray irradiations at a conventional applied field of 10 V/&mgr;m, a charge‐generation energy of 30–40 eV per pair was determined. Theoretical estimates related to the band gap predict a pair‐creation energy of 7 eV per pair for selenium.