β-D-Ribopyranosylamine was synthesized and characterized using analytical, spectral and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The molecule exists in the chair form with the 4C1 conformation. The β anomeric form of C-1 is supported by the dihedral angles. The molecule exhibits both intra- and intermolecular hydrogen-bond interactions of the type O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O, and these are interconnected to each other to form chains. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.