A new method for the quantification of trace periodate (PI) concentration was developed. The Br--ABTS method was based on the oxidation coloration reaction. Under Br- catalysis, the PI rapidly oxidized ABTS to the green ABTS•+, which could be accurately determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The absorbance of ABTS•+ was remarkably correlated linearly with the concentration of PI at 415 nm, and the slope of standard curve was (3.77 ± 0.01)× 104 M−1·cm−1. The proposed method had high sensitivity and the slope at different optical paths showed a good multiplicative relationship for concentration values as low as 0.02 μM to be measured. The existence of different solutes in river and lake water did not affect the accuracy of Br--ABTS method, the generated ABTS•+ could maintain good stability within 30 min, and the recovery of PI was between 95%− 105%. The stoichiometric coefficient between PI and ABTS•+ was 1.12 at pH 3.0. In addition, a common reductant (hydroxylamine), transition metal ions and inorganic anions (Cl-, SO42- and HCO3-) did not affect the Br--catalyzed oxidation of ABTS for the measurement of PI concentration. Consequently, Br--ABTS is a feasible method to determine the concentration of PI.