Abstract γ‐Oryzanol is considered to be an important fraction in rice bran oil. Due to the low concentration levels (1–3%) of γ‐oryzanol in crude rice bran oil (CRBO), isolation and purification would be necessary before practical usage. This study developed an efficient and easy‐to‐scale‐up chromatographic separation method for the production of γ‐oryzanol. First, the CRBO was prepared using a Soxhlet extractor operated under an optimal extraction condition (using 130 mL of hexane for 2 hr per 15 g rice bran). The extraction yield was 16–18% (w/w) and the purity of γ‐oryzanol was 2.4–3.0% (w/w). Then, γ‐oryzanol in the CRBO was purified by preparative elution chromatography under the normal phase mode. Column operation was optimized by using a silica gel column packed with small particles (12 µm) and operated by a three‐step gradient elution mode, where the mobile phase composition of hexane/ethyl acetate was from 90:10 or 85:15 to 50:50 v/v to pure ethyl acetate. The injection amount was increased as la...