Barium acetate is the barium salt of acetic acid, with the chemical formula (CH₃COO)₂Ba. It is used in chemistry and manufacturing as a soluble source of barium and is toxic to humans.

Barium acetate is generally produced by the reaction of acetic acid with barium carbonate:

The reaction is performed in solution and the barium acetate crystalizes out at temperatures above 41 °C. Between 25 and 40 °C, the monohydrate version crystalizes. Alternatively, barium sulfide can be used:

Again, the solvent is evaporated off and the barium acetate crystallized.

Barium acetate is a white powder, which is highly soluble: at 0 °C, 55.8 g of barium acetate can be dissolved in 100 g of water.

Barium acetate can be used in metathesis reactions.

When heated in air, barium acetate decomposes to barium carbonate.^{[citation needed]}

Barium acetate is used as a mordant for printing textile fabrics, for drying paints and varnishes, and in lubricating oil. In chemistry, it is used in the preparation of other acetates, and as a catalyst in organic synthesis.^{[citation needed]}