This method is for determining the hydrogen content of light and middle distillates boiling in the range of approximately 15°,C to 350°,C on an as received basis, and hydrocarbons boiling above 350°,C by dilution, using low resolution pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The range of quantitation is from 9.5 to 15.4 mass-% hydrogen. The concentration limits of the method may be extended if appropriate pure compounds are obtained as reference standards.