Inhibition of steel corrosion in 0.5 M sodium chloride by apricot pomace extract (APE) was studied via weight loss and electrochemical methods. In the presence of the apricot pomace extract, the inhibition efficiency increases and linear polarization resistance value increases after 48 h of exposure. Characterization of the APE by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has detected the presence of the compounds, which are responsible for the corrosion inhibition and adsorption properties on mild steel surface. Antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the APE were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were used to characterize the surface morphology of uninhibited and inhibited mild steel specimens. The morphological study indicated adsorption of inhibitor molecules on the surface of the mild steel.