This study aimed to assess and correlate initial surface roughness and frictional resistance of rectangular CuNiTi wires inserted in different self-ligating brackets. The sample consisted of 40 bracket-wire sets (rectangular CuNiTi wires of 0.017" x 0.025" and passive self-ligating brackets) divided into four groups (n=10): metallic self-ligating bracket and metallic CuNiTi wire (G1); metallic self-ligating bracket and rhodium-coated CuNiTi wire (G2); esthetic self-ligating bracket and metallic wire (G3); esthetic self-ligating bracket and rhodium-coated CuNiTi wire (G4). The initial surface roughness of the wires was examined with a Surfcorder roughness meter, model SE1700. Later, frictional resistance was assessed in an Instron 4411 universal testing machine at a speed of 5 mm/min, in an aqueous medium at 35°C. Microscopic analyses of surface morphology were performed with scanning electron microscopy, using an LEO 1430, with magnifications of 1000X. Generalized linear models were applied, considering the 2 x 2 factorial (bracket type x wire type), at a 5% significance level. Regardless of bracket type, the groups with esthetic wires presented higher initial surface roughness than the groups with metallic wires (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the different bracket-wire sets for frictional resistance and no significant correlation between frictional resistance and initial surface roughness in the environment studied. It is concluded that esthetic wires presented higher initial surface roughness but did not interfere with the frictional resistance between brackets and wires.