Grain samples of 9 barley, including 8 covered and 1 naked types were selected to represent the varieties cultivated in Poland. Spring and winter covered barley varieties differed in their average contents of protein, lipids, ash, dietary fiber, crude fiber, β-glucans and pentosans. Winter covered barley varieties had higher ash, dietary fiber and its components as crude fiber and pentosans than the spring covered barley. Chemical composition of naked barley was significantly different as compared with covered barley varieties. Winter varieties of barley can be used as a good raw material to obtain barley products enriched in dietary fiber which have potential for use in prophylactic human foods.