Ion-pair model was predominated over ion-interaction model in the retention mechanism of analytes when tetramethylammonium bromide (TMAB) was used as a counter-ion in the investigation of aromatic sulfonic acids on the reversed-phase liquid chromatography by $C_{18}$ column as a stationary phase. The capacity factors of analytes were influenced by the type and concentration of counter-ions, concentrations of methanol and co-anion, types and position of functional group, and the pH mobile phase. Components of analyte mixture could be separated under the optimum conditions by this method.