2-Butoxyethanol is an organic compound with the chemical formula BuOC₂H₄OH (Bu = CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂). This colorless liquid has a sweet, ether-like odor, as it derives from the family of glycol ethers, and is a butyl ether of ethylene glycol. As a relatively nonvolatile, inexpensive solvent, it is used in many domestic and industrial products because of its properties as a surfactant. It is a known respiratory irritant and can be acutely toxic, but animal studies did not find it to be mutagenic, and no studies suggest it is a human carcinogen. A study of 13 classroom air contaminants conducted in Portugal reported a statistically significant association with increased rates of nasal obstruction and a positive association below the level of statistical significance with a higher risk of obese asthma and increased body mass index.

Miscibility of 2-butoxyethanol with water depends on temperature. Depending on the composition of the mixture, the two liquids are partially miscible. This mixture shows both a lower and an upper critical solution temperature: below around 49 °C (lower critical solution temperature), the liquids are completely miscible. The same is true for temperatures above around 130 °C (upper critical solution temperature). Between these temperatures, however, the liquids do not mix in all proportions and two phases might appear, each of which is formed by various ratios of the two liquids.

2-Butoxyethanol is commonly obtained through two processes; the ethoxylation reaction of butanol and ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst:

or the etherification of butanol with 2-chloroethanol. 2-Butoxyethanol can be obtained in the laboratory by performing a ring opening of 2-propyl-1,3-dioxolane with boron trichloride. It is often produced industrially by combining ethylene glycol and butyraldehyde in a Parr reactor with palladium on carbon.

In 2006, the European production of butyl glycol ethers amounted to 181 kilotons, of which approximately 50% (90 kt/a) was 2-butoxyethanol. World production is estimated to be 200 to 500 kt/a, of which 75% is for paints and coatings and 18% for metal cleaners and household cleaners. In the US, it is considered a high production volume chemical because more than 100 million pounds of this chemical are produced per year.

2-Butoxyethanol is a glycol ether with modest surfactant properties, which can also be used as a mutual solvent (soluble in both water and oil).

2-Butoxyethanol is a solvent for paints and surface coatings, as well as cleaning products and inks. Products that contain 2-butoxyethanol include acrylic resin formulations, asphalt release agents, firefighting foam, leather protectors, oil spill dispersants, degreaser applications, photographic strip solutions, whiteboard and glass cleaners, liquid soaps, cosmetics, dry cleaning solutions, lacquers, varnishes, herbicides, latex paints, enamels, printing paste, varnish removers, and silicone caulk. Products containing this compound are commonly found at construction sites, automobile repair shops, print shops, and facilities that produce sterilizing and cleaning products. It is the main ingredient of many home, commercial and industrial cleaning solutions. Since the molecule has both polar and non-polar ends, 2-butoxyethanol is useful for removing both polar and non-polar substances, like grease and oils. It is also approved by the U.S. FDA to be used as direct and indirect food additives, which include antimicrobial agents, defoamers, stabilizers, and adhesives.

2-Butoxyethanol is commonly produced for the oil industry because of its surfactant properties.