Nineteen species and varieties of Amaranthaceae were analysed for sterol composition. The desmethyl sterol content of these plants varied from 0.0084 % to 0.034 % of the total dry weight. Spinasterol and 7-stigmastenol were the dominant sterols in all species, although low levels of 5-unsaturated sterols were detected. Minor sterols identified in one or more species included cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol as well as 7,22-ergostadienol, 7,24(28)-ergostadienol, 7-ergostenol, 7,25-stigmastadienol and 7,24(28)-stigmastadienol, stigmastanol and 24-methylenecycloartanol were also present. Identifications were based on a combination of gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.