A new objective method of comparing cloud amount frequency and distribution is described. The analysis, which uses the beta distribution to model cloud frequency curves, depends upon the numerical values of two defining parameters (&eegr; and λ). Comparison of cloud amount frequency derived from ground-based data for six different climatological regions is made, and conclusions about the effect of the underlying surface type are drawn. The analysis seems to indicate that cloud amount frequency over land areas at different latitudes have pronounced similarities. This objective method will also be of use for climatological analysis of satellite observations of cloud cover.<