The excess molar volumes and the partial molar volumes for (propionitrile + an alkanol) at T = 298.15 K and at atmospheric pressure are reported. The hydrogen bonding between the OH center dot center dot center dot NC groups are discussed in terms of the chain length of the alkanol. The alkanols studied are (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and 1-pentanol). The excess molar volume data was fitted to the Redlich-Kister equation. The partial molar volumes were calculated from the Redlich-Kister coefficients. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.