The grafting number of surfactant coating on magnetite nanoparticles in a magnetic colloid (magnetic fluid), defined as the number of surfactant molecules adsorbed per surface area of nanoparticles, was successfully obtained from the atomic absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We found that the increases of grafting number with the molar concentration of surfactant and the adsorption temperature can be quantitatively measured, making it possible to produce well controlled, stable magnetic colloids that are precursors for many magnetic nanostructures. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.