Cohu (COHU) 10-Q 2012 Q3 Quarterly report

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report of Cohu, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2012 (the “Report”), I, James A. Donahue, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, based on my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: November 5, 2012

/s/ James A. Donahue

James A. Donahue,

President & Chief Executive Officer