Abstract: Ammonia-volatilization loss is a common problem for the cropping fields in the North China Plain. A two-year field experiment was conducted to study nitrogen losses and the resultant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield responses to four types of nitrogen fertilizers that were top-dressed on winter-wheat in Dongbeiwang Town, Beijing. Ammonium Bicarbonate (AC), Urea (U), Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) or Ammonium Sulphate-Nitrate (ASN) were applied at 190 kg N ha-1. A control (CK) that received no N was included. Soil nitrate (NO3-N) dynamics were measured and N balance was calculated for the period of the two winter-wheat seasons. The results showed that the apparent nitrogen losses from the AC, U, CAN or ASN treatments were 79, 42, 12, or 33 kg ha-1 in 2005 and 64, 45, -15 or -5 kg ha-1 in 2006, respectively. The grain yields from the U, CAN or ASN treatments ranged from 3932 to 5012 kg ha-1 during the two wheat seasons, much greater than those from the AC or the CK treatments. The nitrogen use efficiency for the AC, U, CAN, or ASN treatments was 43, 52, 59, or 56% in 2005 and 35, 46, 51 or 53% in 2006, respectively. Soil NO3-N accumulation mainly occurred in the 0-60 cm profile and very small amounts of NO3-N were detected in the 60-90 cm profile after harvest in the N fertilization treatments. These results suggested that in the North China Plain, which is characterized by a shortage of water resources and high soil pH, CAN is a better nitrogen fertilizer because of its lower nitrogen losses, higher nitrogen use efficiency and higher grain yield than the traditional nitrogen fertilizers, urea or ammonium bicarbonate.