Fundamental period of a concrete dam is basic to using the code procedure for evaluating the base shear and base moment induced due to earthquake. At present, two empirical expressions are used for reckoning the same. In this paper, a theoretical solution is propounded for computing the period using the finite element method. In all, twenty dams of various heights were analyzed using the computer. Finally, a prediction equation is proposed for rapidly estimating the period. Good correlation is seen to exist between the prediction of the proposed equation and the rigorous solution obtained from computer analysis.