We demonstrate the measurement of single-shot spectra of temporally selected micropulses from a mid-infrared free-electron laser (FEL) by upconversion. We achieve the upconversion of FEL pulses at 11 mu m using externally synchronized Nd:YAG or microchip laser pulses at 1064 nm to produce sum-frequency mixing signals at 970 nm, which are detected by a compact CCD spectrometer without an intensifier. Our experimental system is very cost-effective, and allows us to obtain the laser spectra of selected micropulses at any temporal position within a single macropulse from an oscillator- type FEL. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America