In this contribution, we present a simple and sensitive method for detecting Cu2+ based on the Cu(2+)-induced aggregation of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) capped with chitosan. Chitosan could be adsorbed on the surface of AgNPs, and keep AgNPs against aggregation. However, in the presence of Cu2+, AgNPs aggregate again, the absorption decreases, and the color changes from yellow to colorless, which is due to the coordination of Cu2+ and chitosan. The depressed intensity (deltaA) is in proportion to the concentration of Cu2+ over the range of 3.33-40.0 microM with the limit of detection (3sigma) of 10.25 nM, the recovery of 92.60-104.20% and R.S.D. of 0.94-4.62%. The advantages of this method are simple, sensitive and low cost.