The invention is directed to a process for the production of 1,5-dinitronaphthalene wherein naphthalene is nitrated by nitric acid in the absence of sulfuric acid at temperatures of from 30 to 80 C., wherein the nitric acid has a concentration of from 72 to 87 wt.-%, the reaction mixture obtained is filtered at temperatures of from 5 to 20 C. and the solid precipitate obtained is washed with water, and 1,5-dinitronaphthalene is isolated from the washed precipitate by washing with acetone.