Chitin was isolated from crab shell wastes and characterized for its chemical and physical properties. White powdered chitin was obtained through demineralizaticn, deproteinization and decoloration process. The contents of inorganics was less than 0.5%, whereas protein and lipid were almost removed. The results of IR spectroscopic analysis for the isolated chitin showed similar characteristics with that of Sigma product. Degree of deacetylation of purified chitin was significantly higher than Sigma product and viscosity average molecular weights was $2.3{ imes}10^5~3.2{ imes}10^5$. SEM analysis showed that the obtained chitin had the fibril shaped morphology.