The ultraviolet absorption cross sections for NaOH have been calculated from the flame absorption spectroscopic data of Daidoji, and used for estimates of solar ultraviolet photodissociation rates in the stratosphere. One cross section maximum of 1.8¿10-17 cm2 occurs at 234 nm, and another of 1.0¿10-17 cm2 is found at 320 nm. Absorption in the 200--265 nm band corresponds to a photodissociation coefficient for NaOH of 2¿10-3 sec-1 at 50 km decreasing to 10-4 sec-1 at 35 km, both for overhead sun. If absorption in the 285--350 nm band leads to molecular decomposition, the photodissociation coefficient is approximately 6¿10-2 sec-1 at all altitudes in both the stratosphere and troposphere. The major photodissociation pathway leads to na(2S) plus OH, and has a wavelength threshold of 346¿12 nm.