Phase equilibria in the system MnO-CoO-Cr2O3 were investigated at 1300 degrees C under controlled oxygen partial pressures by using the gas equilibration technique. The CoO activities in various phase assemblages of the system were measured by determining the partial pressures of oxygen in the gas phase for coexistence with metallic cobalt. The activity data revealed that at 1300 degrees C, MnO-CoO and MnCr2O4-CoCr2O4 solid solutions exhibit mild positive departures from ideal behavior. The activities in the stoichiometric spinel solutions were found to be in good agreement with those predicted from a model based on cation distribution equilibria. The standard free energy of formation of the compound CoCr2O4 from its oxide components at 1300 degrees C was determined as -37636 J/mol, while that for MuCr(2)O(4) was found as -44316 J/mol.