Mononitrotoluenes can be prepared by intensively mixing together toluene, nitric acid, sulphuric acid and water, simultaneously or successively in their total amount, and, in the case of continuous preparation, redispersing the mixture at least twice, for which purpose a mixing energy of 1 to 40 watts per liter of the total reaction mixture, preferably 3 to 30 W/l, is employed per volume of the reactor, and, for the continuous procedure, the back mixing is substantially repressed. Adiabatic reaction conditions are maintained.