AbstractChain characteristics of a linear sulfonate‐containing homopolymer, sodium poly(3‐methacryloyloxypropane‐1‐sulfonate), in aqueous salt solutions (ionic strength, Cs = 0.01N to 5N NaCl) have been investigated by light scattering and intrinsic viscosity. The molecular weight (M̄w)–viscosity relation can be well described by the Mark–Houwink and the Stockmayer–Fixman equations. The coil is highly expanded even in the most concentrated NaCl solution (6N), and no 1:1 electrolyte was found to precipitate this polymer.A linear relation was observed between the viscosity expansion factor, α3η, and (M̄w/Cs)1/2. Examination of the data in terms of theories for excluded volume and hydrodynamic interaction suggests that the coil experiences dominant hydrodynamic interaction, corresponding to a nondraining coil, and the second virial coefficient and coil expansion at high Cs can be correlated by the Flory–Krigbaum–Orofino equation. Results for this polymer are compared with those for other polyelectrolytes, and are discussed in terms of chain structure, flexibility, and hydrophobicity.