Abstract: In a process for making methyl chloride by the catalytic hydrochlorination of methanol in the liquid phase, the common formation of unwanted dimethyl ether by-product is reduced by conducting the process in at least two reactors operating in series and by introducing all or substantially all of the required hydrogen chloride feed into the first reactor while splitting the introduction of methanol feed, preferably as a vapor, between or among the reactors.The overall feed ratio of methanol to hydrogen chloride is in the range between about 0.65 to about 1.0 mol methanol per mol hydrogen chloride. Aqueous zinc chloride is the preferred catalyst.