The inhibition performance of Tobramycin (TBN) on stainless steel 304 dissolution and ingress of hydrogen gas in 2N H3PO4 and 2N HCl has been analyzed employing mass loss, gasometric and electrochemical studies. The antibiotic seems to be more effective in reducing the dissolution of steel in 2N H3PO4 than in 2N HCl. Potential- Current plots evidently pointed out that the inhibitor follows mixed mode of inhibition in acidic media. Hydrogen permeation and EIS measurements have confirmed that TBN retards the corrosion of SS 304 effectively in both the acids. The theoretical values of EHOMO, ELUMO, ΔE and dipole moment in the presence of inhibitor confirmed its effective adsorption on SS 304 surface. © 2014 University of Manchester and the authors.