A total of 119 CeOn fragments with n = 3-12 were analyzed by using the bond valence sum, or BVS, method to yield new R-0 values for Ce(III)-O of 2.121(13) Angstrom and for Ce(IV)-O of 2.068(12) Angstrom. These R-0 values can be used to calculate the oxidation state of Ce in complexes where Ce is bonded only to 0 ligands. Furthermore, the average R-0 value of 2.094 Angstrom gives a good indication of whether the oxidation state of the Ce ion is +3 or +4 from the observed distances without any assumptions. The fact that complexes with coordination numbers of 10-12 are in agreement is significant since this study is the first example which indicates that high coordination numbers also follow BVS rules. The Ce-O distances used in deriving the R-0 values for the +3 and +4 complexes are tabulated as a function of coordination number and have a wide range of values, but the average Ce-O distance reflects the requirement that the BVS must equal the oxidation state. Several examples are given where the oxidation state of the Ce ion is apparently incorrectly assigned, as well as cases where problems with the X-ray structure determinations are indicated by a disagreement between the postulated and calculated oxidation state.