Type IX collagen is a minor cartilage component which associates with mixed fibrils of types II/XI collagen. We have determined the precise physical and genetic locations for the gene encoding the alpha3 chain of type IX collagen, COL9A3. Utilizing fluorescence in situ hybridization, radiation hybrid mapping, and multipoint linkage analysis, we have mapped COL9A3 to human chromosome 20q13.3, 13 cM telomeric to D20S173.