A refractometer, comprising a frame structure, in which are arranged a light source, an optical window and a light sensitive detector, whereby the optical window is arranged to be positioned into contact with a solution to be measured and a beam of rays from the light source is arranged to be directed to an interface between the optical window and the solution, whereby part of the ray beam reflects back from the solution and part of it is absorbed partially into the solution and an image is created, in which the location of a borderline between a light and a dark area depends on the critical angle of total reflection, this angle being a function of the concentration of the solution, and whereby an information of the location of the borderline is arranged to be transformed into an electrical form by the light sensitive detector. To provide a ray beam having an even angular distribution, a fibre optic clad rod is arranged between the light source and the optical window, which clad rod consists of one optical fibre, through which the ray beam is arranged to pass to the optical window.

A method for refractometer measuring, in which a beam of rays emitted from a light source is transmitted to the interface between the optical window of a refractometer and the liquid to be measured, whereby part of the beam of rays is reflected back from the liquid and part is absorbed into the liquid and an image is produced in which the position of the boundary between a light and dark area depends on the critical angle of total reflection, the critical angle being a function of concentration of liquid, and in which the boundary between the light and dark area of the image is determined by light detectors arranged in a line. For good resolution, to the measuring data obtained from the light detectors is applied a mathematical model corresponding with the information provided by the measuring data and the position of the boundary is determined by means of this model.