Fabrication of nanomaterials for deprivation of organic pollutants like dyes is important. In present research work spotlight is on preparation of copper oxide (CuO) nano needles and characterized by using various techniques such as ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic efficiency of CuO nano needles has been examined on both kind of dyes such as cation dye (Victoria Blue) and anionic dye (Direct Red 81). CuO nano needles catalytic efficiency in degradation of dye was measured by examining the change in absorbance of dye under UV-spectrophotometer. The effects of functional parameters such as catalyst amount, pH and initial dye concentration were explored. CuO nano needles demonstrated brilliant degradation capacity in the existence of UV–visible radiations. Degradation processes follows pseudo-first order kinetics. The rate constant was fruitfully launched and reusability experiments were made to assure the steadiness of the used catalysts.