A semiempirical formula for the gamma-ray albedo of alternating layers is proposed. The values of the albedo calculated by this formula agree with the experimental ones for alternating layers of tin-aluminum and lead-aluminum slabs within ∼10%, except for the case of very thin alternating layers. This formula was applied to the angular distribution of photons backscattered by the alternating layers and the difference between experimental and calculated values was < 18%.