6-Methylsalicylic acid is an organic compound with the formula CH<sub>3</sub>C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>3</sub>(CO<sub>2</sub>H)(OH). It is a white solid that is soluble in basic water and in polar organic solvents. At neutral pH, the acid exists as 6-methylsalicylate. Its functional groups include a carboxylic acid and a phenol group. It is one of four isomers of methylsalicylic acid.
It occurs naturally, being a biosynthetic precursor to m-cresol. Its decarboxylation is catalyzed by 6-methylsalicylate decarboxylase: