A simple a.c. technique has been developed for measuring the double layer capacitances of porous electrodes. A small alternating potential (±15 mV at 1 Hz) is applied potentiostatically to the test electrode and the phase and amplitude of the alternating current are monitored on an oscilloscope by the method of Lissajous figures. The value of the double layer capacitance for carbon and gold, together with the potential dependence for the gold capacitance,agree with published data for smooth electrodes. The technique can follow changes in the interfacial surface area between a porous electrode and the electrolyte as well as providing information about surface processes on finely divided materials.