EXHIBIT 23.1





                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the:

      (i)   Registration   Statement  No.  33-29287  on  Form  S-8  and  related
            Prospectus with respect to the 1989 Long Term Performance  Incentive
            Plan of NL Industries, Inc.; and

      (ii)  Registration   Statement  No.  33-25913  on  Form  S-8  and  related
            Prospectus  with  respect  to the  NL  Industries,  Inc.  Retirement
            Savings Plan; and

      (iii) Registration  Statement  No.  333-65817  on  Form  S-8  and  related
            Prospectus  with respect to the NL  Industries,  Inc. 1998 Long-Term
            Incentive Plan; and

      (iv)  Registration   Statement  No.  33-48145  on  Form  S-8  and  related
            Prospectus with respect to the NL Industries, Inc. 1992 Non-Employee
            Directors Stock Option Plan.

of our  report  dated  February  12,  2003  on our  audits  of the  consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedules of NL Industries, Inc. as
of  December  31,  2002 and 2001,  and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2002,  which report is included in this Annual Report on Form
10-K.





                                    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



Houston, Texas
March 12, 2003