4-Fluorothiophenol is obtained in outstanding purifies and yields if 4-fluorobenzenesulphonyl chloride is reacted with sodium hydrogen sulphite solution to give a solution of sodium 4-fluorobenzenesulphinate, this solution is reduced with sulphur dioxide to give 4,4'-difluorodiphenyl disulphide and finally this is reacted with sodium borohydride in a water-miscible inert organic solvent to give 4-fluorothiophenol (sodium salt). Free 4-fluorothiophenol can be isolated from the sodium salt solution by acidification.