Gas sensing ability of one dimensional (1D) semiconducting WO3 Nanorods with remarkable aspect ratio is characterized. The WO3 sensor exhibited high response towards 10–100 ppm ethanol at 250 °C; 95% response for 100 ppm and 61% response at 10 ppm ethanol. The sensor revealed high selectivity towards ethanol among various gases. The dynamic response for different concentrations of ethanol was recorded and analysed. The sensor's repeatability was noted by transient response study for 100 ppm ethanol. The sensor stability and hypothesized sensing mechanism were discussed. According to the results, WO3 nanorods with high aspect ratio would be used in advanced ethanol sensor application. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.