The 2001 1. divisjon, Norway's second-tier football league, began on 21 April 2001 and ended on 28 October 2001.
2000 1. divisjon champions FK Lyn and runners-up Strømsgodset were promoted to the 2001 Tippeligaen.
They were replaced by 2000 2. divisjon play-off winners Mandalskameratene, Ørn-Horten, Hødd and Aalesund.
[4] Vålerenga and Start won promotion to Tippeligaen, after only one season in the First Division, while Ham-Kam lost the promotion-playoff against Bryne.
[5][6] Bala Garba and Marino Rahmberg became top goalscorers with 18 goals each.