High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) has been used for the separation and quantification of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). The compounds were separated on silica gel 60 F(254) with a double development system of trichloroethylene-acetone 4:1 and petroleum ether-acetone 5.7:1. For obtaining chromatograms of these materials. UV detection was performed at 215 and 250 nm for PETN and TNT. respectively. The linear dynamic range was 0.835-83.50 mu g per spot for PETN and 0.045-1.44 mu g per spot for TNT.