An electrolyte for electrochromic elements which comprises an electrolytic base material to conduct ions and charge-controlling substances contained in the electrolytic base material. The electrolytic base material is composed of a polar organic solvent and a supporting electrolyte and the charge-controlling substance is at least one of oxidizable substances and reducible substances. This electrolyte enables to produce durable electrochromic elements which can balance the charges in both electrodes and avoid a residual color or an uneven color of coloring materials.