An on-line refractrometer made of easily obtainable materials is built to determine the salinity and temperature of sea water, and its performance is examined by applying the refractometer to known salt solution. Since refractive index and temperature are measured simultaneously, it is possible to compensate the effect of temperature for accurate measurement. The outcome of salinity measurement for the different concentrations of salt solution indicates that the device is suitable for the salinity measurement by yielding stable and reproducible reading.