diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 1c645334..c9b30a78 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ SimPEG
     :target: https://coveralls.io/r/simpeg/simpeg?branch=master
     :alt: Coverage status
 
+.. image:: http://img.shields.io/badge/GITTER-JOIN_CHAT-brightgreen.svg?style=flat-square
+    :alt: gitter chat room at https://gitter.im/simpeg/simpeg
+    :target: https://gitter.im/simpeg/simpeg
+    
 Simulation and Parameter Estimation in Geophysics  -  A python package for simulation and gradient based parameter estimation in the context of geophysical applications.
 
 The vision is to create a package for finite volume simulation with applications to geophysical imaging and subsurface flow. To enable the understanding of the many different components, this package has the following features: