The densities of compressed liquid 1,2-alkanediols (C2, C3 and C4) were measured with a vibration tube densimeter over the temperature range from 278.15 K to 358.15 K and pressures up to 60 MPa, with an uncertainty of +/- 0.0012 g.cm(-3). Densities were correlated with pressure and temperature by the TRIDEN 10-parameter equation. Values of the isothermal compressibility, isobaric thermal expansivity and internal pressure were calculated from the experimental results. Reported data are compared with predictions obtained using the PC-SAFT equation of state. The influence of the carbon-chain lengths over the obtained thermophysical properties was studied. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.