The large amplitude free flexural vibration of transversely isotropic rectangular plate, incorporating the effects of transverse shear and rotatory inertia, is studied using the von Karman field equations. A mode shape, consisting of three generalised-coordinates together with the Galerkin technique, results in a system of three non-linear simultaneous ordinary differential equations which govern the motion of the plate. These equations are integrated using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method to obtain the period for each amplitude of vibration. The non-linear period vs amplitude behaviour is of the hardening type and it is also found that transverse shear and rotary inertia effects increase the period and that this increase is quite significant even for thin transversely isotropic plates. The results are compared with earlier results which were based on a one-term or one generalised coordinate solution and using the Berger approximation or the von Karman field equations. © 1979.