The first and second nitrations of 4-pyridone, and the nitration of 3- and 5-methyl-2-pyridone, together with several of the corresponding O-and N-methyl-derivatives have been studied kinetically. All the pyridone reactions are on free-base species, except that at high acidities 4-pyridone reacts as the conjugate acid. Partial-rate factors for pyridone nitrations are presented and discussed.