This paper describes the use of high-performance capillary electrophoresis for the separation of globin chains. Adult and newborn haemolysates from normal individuals and children suspected of having thalassaemia were analysed using free zone electrophoresis. Separation of globins was accomplished using a 25 mM phosphate buffer at pH 11.8. Distinct peaks of alpha-, beta- and gamma-chains were resolved within 8 min. The coefficient of variation for within-day and between-day runs was 4.1% and 5.7%, respectively. This method is simple and rapid, and it can be used to screen for thalassaemia and for the clinical study of various haemoglobinopathies.