One hundred and sixty one jaundiced newborns were investigated for the usefulness of perspex icterometer as a screening tool for neonatal jaundice. Along with serum bilirubin estimation, icterometer score was simultaneously obtained in all the cases. The correlation between serum bilirubin and icterometer score was high (r = 0.99). The icterometer was useful in various subgroups. A high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value was seen in all the groups. A possible role of icterometer in India for screening newborns with jaundice at peripheral level is highlighted.