The in-vitro antimicrobial qualities of cefmetazole are summarized from a review of over 30 publications. Cefmetazole, a 7α-methoxy cephalosporin, is shown to have an antimicrobial spectrum closely resembling cefoxitin's. However, cefmetazole is approximately two- to eight-fold more active than cefoxitin against commonly isolated species such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus , pyogenic streptococci, pneumococci, and Haemophilus influenzae . Cefmetazole is also active against anaerobic pathogens, Neisseria spp ., Citrobacter diversus , indole-positive Proteus spp. and Branhamella catarrhalis . Cefmetazole is bactericidal against aerobic and anaerobic pathogens. Its MICs and MBCs are minimally influenced by high inoculum concentrations. β-Lactamases failed to hydrolyze cefmetazole significantly and cefmetazole is considered the most stable of the cephamycin drugs. Some Bacteroides strains produce β-lactamases that are uniquely inhibited by cefmetazole. In-vitro tests with cefmetazole have been evaluated and interpretive criteria established for NCCLS methods: susceptible ≥18 mm (≤8.0 mg/1) and resistant ≤14 mm (≥32 mg/1). The consistent cross-resistance and -susceptibility observed between cefmetazole and cefoxitin requires the testing of only one of these agents routinely. Quality control guidelines for cefmetazole disc diffusion (30 μ g disc) and dilution tests are summarized in this review.