Accurate measurements of InP refractive indices in the 1300-1600 nm wavelength range are reported. They are obtained using the grating coupling technique within an asymmetrical slab waveguide where an intrinsic InP guiding layer was grown on a doped InP substrate (N = 2 X 10(18) cm(-3)). Modal indices are obtained with an absolute precision of a few 10(-4) from either guided or reflected waves, Bulk refractive indices of intrinsic and N-doped InP are then deduced from the allowed modes propagating in the layered structure. With sample temperature maintained to within 0.01 K, InP bulk indices are obtained with a typical accuracy of 5 x 10(-4). Furthermore, a (2.02 +/- 0.02) 10(-4) K-1 refractive index temperature coefficient has been measured for bulk InP at room temperature. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.