We assessed the toxicity of cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) to gametophytic thalli of red alga Porphyra yezoensis at room temperature. The CPAs used were: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG), glycerol (GC), 1,2-butanediol (1,2-BD), 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BD), 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD), 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) and propylene glycol (PG). CPA concentrations of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50% were employed with 30 or 60 s immersion. The toxicity of the eight CPAs to gametophytic thalli of P. yezoensis was in the order: 1,3-BD < DMSO ${approx}$ 2,3-BD ${approx}$ PG ${approx}$ EG < GC < 1,3-PD ${approx}$ 1,2-BD. All thalli were more sensitive to high CPA concentrations, and most (>75%) thalli survived exposure to 10-25% CPA for 60 s. These data will facilitate selection of the optimal cryoprotectant concentration for cryopreservation of P. yezoensis thalli.