The usefulness of micellar mobile phases for gradient elution reversed-phase chromatography is demonstrated. A unique property of micellar solutions is that there is always a constant amount of free surfactant present in solution, and any change in total surfactant concentration serves only to change the concentration of micelles. Micellar concentration gradients that speed the elution of strongly retained compounds without altering the composition of the stationary phase are then possible. A step gradient back to the initial conditions and only that volume of mobile phase necessary to flush the mixer and injector is necessary before the next injection. No column reequilibration is necessary, which provides dramatic time and solvent savings for routine, repetitive analyses.