Cadmium electroplating baths are described which contain as a brightening agent, pyridine compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkene, mercapto, amino, halogen, aryl, arylalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, cyano, dialkylamide, aldoxime, pyrolidinyl groups and the corresponding N-oxide compounds. Semi-bright to bright level cadmium coatings are obtained with these baths.