GAC (granulated activated carbon) have been evaluated for removal of cyanide from waste water. To improve the cost effectiveness of adsorption process many waste materials are also studied. In the present study pressmud sugar industry waste was investigated as potential adsorbent for adsorption of cyanide ions from aqueous solution. Linear regression was used to determine the best fit of equilibrium and kinetics expressions models. The two-parameter models including Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich, four types of linearized Langmuir and (three parameter) model Redlich-Peterson with polynomial isotherms were employed. Among these conventional models Langmuir type I, Temkin and (three parameter) Redlich-Peterson model have high correlation coefficients value and predict the specific uptake accurately. However, in comparison with these above models, the empirical polynomial isotherm provided most accurate prediction on equilibrium specific uptake of cyanide ion. The kinetic experimental data was properly correlated with the pseudo first-order, pseudo-second order, zero, first-order intradiffussion model, Elovich model. Among all these convention models pseudo second-order and Elovich model were evaluated to be adequate to explain the kinetics of the adsorption of cyanide ion on pressmud. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.