Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) has been investigated as corrosion inhibitor for zinc–carbon battery by polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The obtained results show that the maximum inhibition efficiency by HEC in 26% NH4Cl solution at 300 ppm and 298 K is 92.07%. Tafel polarization studies reveal that HEC acts as an efficient mixed inhibitor. The corrosion rate is suppressed by the adsorption of HEC on the zinc surface. HEC adsorption obeys the Langmuir isotherm and the thermodynamic parameters K ads and Δ G ads o have been also calculated and discussed. Both physisorption and chemisorption may occur on the zinc surface. Surface characterization investigation using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to ascertain the nature of the protective film.