The subchronic inhalation toxicity of methanol was evaluated in rats and monkeys. Animals were exposed to 0, 500, 2000, and 5000 ppm methanol vapor for 6 h/d, 5 d/w, for 4 wk. The only treatment‐ and dose‐related effect noted was that of mucoid nasal discharge in rats, which was considered reflective of upper respiratory tract irritation. No consistent treatment‐related effects were found for organ or body weights or for histopathologic or ophthalmoscopic examinations. Overall, these findings support the use of the present American Council of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value (TLV) of 200 ppm and short‐term exposure limit (STEL) of 250 ppm for exposure to methanol vapor.