The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(7)H(11)N(3)O(5)S, contains two independent mol-ecules with virtually identical conformations. The imidazole rings of both mol-ecules are essentially planar (r.m.s. deviations = 0.0019 and 0.0038 Å), with a dihedral angle 9.25 (19)° between them. The nitro groups are oriented at 4.5 (2) and 6.44 (13)° with respect to the imidazole rings. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked to form a three-dimensional framework by C-H⋯O and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds.