Abstract: The feasibility for the retrieval of precipitatble water (PW) by using GMS-5 infrared “Split Window” and vapor channel brightness temperatures (BT) is demonstrated. The relationship between GMS-5 IR channel BT and PW is discussed and an empirical formula of retrieval PW is presented by using the three channels of BT. The results show that RMS errors simulated from 60 groups of atmospheric mean profiles and retrieved by GMS-5 realtime BT data and 124 radiosonde data are 0.18 g/cm2 and 0.40 g/cm2, respectively. The wide range PW distribution of clear air can be retrieved by using this empirical formula