The determination of the Au(I) content in gold electroplating baths can be carried out in an alkaline electrolyte directly without sample preparation. The method is suitable for cyanidic gold plating baths as well as for gold sulfite plating baths. If gold sulfite plating baths have to be analyzed the given [Au(SO3)2]3- complex is transformed to the [Au(CN)2]− complex in situ in the measuring vessel. Standard additions have to be made with a solution of the KAu(CN)2 complex. Commercial acidified gold standard solutions for spectroscopy containing Au3+ cannot be used.