This paper validates a Rapid Rural Appraisal wealth-ranking technique using standard socioeconomic indicators from a household survey in rural Bangladesh. Key informants stratified 1,637 households into three wealth groups according to a number of broad criteria and a questionnaire was subsequently administered to each household. Health, demographic and economic variables derived from the questionnaire were found to differ significantly according to wealth group. Analysis supports the construct validity and empirical validity of the wealth-ranking technique as a means of stratifying households by socioeconomic status. The requirements for external validity, as assessed through the comparison of findings with similar studies elsewhere in South Asia, are also satisfied.