OBJECTIVES: The EQ-5D is a widely used generic health-related quality of life measure commonly applied to describe health outcomes and to measure disease burden. This study aims to generate Brazilian population norms for EQ-5D-3L. METHODS: We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in three Brazilian urban areas. The final sample consisted of 5772 respondents, aged from 18 to 64 years. Amongst other information, respondents were asked to self-report their health status using the EQ-5D-3L descriptive system and visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Data on socio-demographic characteristics was obtained through specific questionnaires. The Brazilian TTO scoring algorithm was used to derive the utility values. RESULTS:  Mean values were computed for both weighted index scores and self-rated health status (EQ-VAS), and stratified by gender and age groups. Health status declines with age, ranging between 0.87 for the youngest group 18-29 year-olds and 0.76 for 60-64 year-old. Men (0.85) reported higher scores than woman (0.79). Lower education levels were associated with lower EQ-5D index score in most age groups. CONCLUSIONS:  This study provides EQ-5D reference values for the Brazilian population. These values can be used by local decision makers and researchers on economic evaluations and population health studies.