Batch experiments were carried out for adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the brilliant brown R onto granular activated carbon. The operating variables studied were the initial dye concentration, contact time and temperature. Experimental equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm by linear regression method. The equilibrium process was well described by Freundlich isotherm model and from the determined separation factor (1/n), granular activated carbon could be employed as an effective treatment for the removal of bismarck brown R. From kinetic experiments, the adsorption processes were found to confirm the pseudo second order model with a good correlation and the adsorption rate constant (k2) increased with increasing adsorption temperature. Thermodynamic parameters like the activation energy, change of Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy were also calculated to predict the nature of adsorption in the temperature range of 298∼318 K. The activation energy was determined as 8.73 kJ/mol for 100 mg/L. It was found that the adsorption of bismarck brown R on the granular activated carbon was physical process. The negative Gibbs free energy change (ΔG = -2.59∼-4.92 kJ/mol) and the positive enthalpy change (ΔH = +26.34 kJ/mol) are indicative of the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process.