The present work aims to test the inhibition effect of iodate ions present in potassium iodate, as an inorganic inhibitor for copper corrosion in sodium chloride medium. Chemical and electrochemical methods are carrying out such as weight loss, potentiodynamic and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The present study confirm that the IO acts as a mixed type inhibitor for copper in 0.5 M NaCl.  The iodate ions shows an important inhibition efficiency with 20 ppm for copper in sodium chloride medium. The surface characterization performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) method to confirm the adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on copper surface after an immersion of 16 days in aerated 0.5 M NaCl. Computer simulation confirm that the IO   molecules adsorbed on Cu (110) surface. Technics used in this research are in very good agreement and revealed that the IO is a good inhibitor for copper corrosion in sodium chloride medium.