The molecule of the title compound, C8H6ClN3O2, is built up from fused five- and six-membered rings connected to a chlorine atom and to nitro and methyl groups. The indazole system is essentially planar with the largest deviation from the mean plane being 0.007 (2) Å. No classical hydrogen bonds are observed in the structure. Two molecules form a dimer organised by a symmetry centre via a close contact between a nitro-O atom and the chlorine atom [at 3.066 (2) Å this is shorter than the sum of their van der Waals radii].