Isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamic properties for adsorption of acid fuchsin (AF) dye by activated carbon were carried out using variables such as dose of adsorbent, pH, initial concentration and contact time and temperature. The effect of pH on adsorption of AF showed a bathtub with high adsorption percentage in acidic (pH 8). Isothermal adsorption data were fitted to the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. Freundlich isothem model showed the highest agreement and confirmed that the adsorption mechanism was multilayer adsorption. It was found that adsorption capacity increased with increasing temperature. Freundlich’s separation factor showed that this adsorption process was an favorable treatment process. Estimated adsorption energy by Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model indicated that the adsorption of AF by activated carbon is a physical adsorption. Adsorption kinetics was found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Surface diffusion at adsorption site was evaluated as a rate controlling step by the intraparticle diffusion model. Thermodynamic parameters such as activation energy, Gibbs free energy, enthalpy entropy and isosteric heat of adsorption were investigated. The activation energy and enthalpy change of the adsorption process were 21.19 kJ / mol and 23.05 kJ / mol, respectively. Gibbs free energy was found that the adsorption reaction became more spontaneously with increasing temperature. Positive entropy was indicated that this process was irreversible. The isosteric heat of adsorption was indicated physical adsorption in nature.