A measurement of nonlinear refractive index coefficient of an optical fiber with a Sagnac interferometer, comprises the steps of employing the optical fiber in a Sagnac interferometer, splitting a signal beam into two signals, launching the two split signals into the interferometer in opposite directions, combining and detecting the signals counter-propagated in the interferometer, and detecting the refractive index coefficient of the optical fiber in accordance with the difference between the two signal powers determined by a control beam. The quasi-static phase shift of the signal beam counter-propagating the same paths of the interferometer is induced by rotating the optical fiber loop of the interferometer. The present invention gives rise to little error because it does not require precise information about the pulse width of a used beam or a high-power light.