Methyl Violet, also known as crystal violet or gentian violet, is a synthetic dye belonging to the family of triarylmethane dyes. It is widely used in various applications, including as a biological stain, a dye in the textile industry, and an indicator in chemical reactions. Methyl Violet is particularly recognized for its use as a histological stain in microbiology and histopathology. It is employed to stain cells and tissues, enabling the visualization of cellular structures and components under a microscope. In microbiology, Methyl Violet is used as a Gram stain to differentiate bacteria based on their cell wall characteristics.

Beyond its applications in biology and microbiology, Methyl Violet has found use in diverse fields. In the textile industry, it is used for dyeing fabrics and textiles. Additionally, it has been utilized as an indicator in various chemical reactions, particularly those involving acid-base titrations. Methyl Violet changes color in response to changes in pH, transitioning from violet or purple in acidic solutions to green in alkaline solutions. This color change makes it valuable in determining the endpoint of titrations.