Technical Abstract: Chambers temporarily sealed to the soil surface are important and often the only means of measuring trace gas emissions to the atmosphere. However, such chamber measurements are not exempt from methodological problems. This review article identifies known sources of chamber-induced errors encountered in the measurement of the flux of CO2 emitted from the soil surface (Fc). The chamber design information summarized in this review article should minimize the overall impact of the multiplicity and diversity of potential errors on measurements of chamber-based Fc estimates. Because soil respiration measurements of Fc are becoming a part of an increasing number of field studies by scientists from various backgrounds and often with limited knowledge of soil physics and agrometeorology the theoretical considerations and practical recommendations provided in this article will help these scientists ensure that their Fc estimates have the highest quality attainable.