A method has been proposed to compute instantaneous turbulent bottom shear stress from the variation in free stream velocity under irregular waves for plane bed condition. Instantaneous free stream velocity and a modified relationship for turbulent wave friction factor have been introduced as the basis for the correlation with bottom shear stress. Instantaneous bottom shear stress computed by the proposed method has been compared with experimental data. Proposed method presents a good agreement and has been found to be very convenient to use from the viewpoint of practical application.