A tin oxide-based gas sensor for detecting CH4 and i-C4H10 in a low gas concentration (200 ppm) was developed on the basis of "Hot Wire Type" gas sensor, which was sintered in a bead (0.55 mm empty set) to cover a platinum wire (0.20 mm empty set) coil. The effect of oxides of Co, Cr, La or Ce on humidity dependence of tin oxide was investigated. The oxides of Co and Cr gave a prominent stability for the sensor output to CH4 and i-C4H10 under the humidity change outdoors through a year. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.