The goal of this research was to determine the impact of nonionic surfactants on drag reduction effect in water and metal oxide nanofluid. Two nonionic surfactants (Rokacet O7 and Rokanol K7) and copper(II) oxide water-based nanofluid were examined. Friction factors in a 4 mm diameter pipe for the Reynolds number between 8000 and 50000 were determined. Results showed that addition of nonionic surfactants caused the decrease of friction factor in water and nanofluid. The drag reduction effect was similar in both cases. Presence of nanoparticles in the system has no great influence on drag reduction effect.