The prompt neutron multiplicity distribution for the spontaneous fission of 242Cm has been measured. The measurement has been carried out with a neutron multiplicity counter using hydrogen moderation and neutron detection with 3He proportional gas counters. The fission chamber is of a novel design enabling the measurement of fission fragments in the presence of high alpha intensities. We report a value of (242Cm) = 2.532 ± 0.013, which is in turn based on an assumed value for (252Cf) = 3.760.