The density, refractive index and speed of sound for binary mixtures of N,N-dimethylformamide with 1-octanol, 1-nonanol and 1-decanol were measured at several temperatures and atmospheric pressure over the entire range of mole fraction. Excess molar volumes, isentropic and excess isentropic compressibilities, excess refractive indices and deviations in speed of sound for the above systems were calculated from the experimental results. Furthermore, excess properties and deviations in speed of sound were fitted to the Redlich-Kister polynomial. The Lorentz-Lorenz, Dale-Gladstone, Eykman and Arago-Biot mixing rules were used to calculate the refractive indices of the binary mixtures. The speeds of sound have been analyzed in term of Schaaffs' collision factor theory, Jacobson's intermolecular free length theory of solutions, Nomoto relation and Van Deal ideal mixture relation. The calculated excess molar properties have been qualitatively used to explain the intermolecular interaction between the mixed components as well as the effects of n-alkanol chain length. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.