The CCSD(T) method is often considered as the gold standard in quantum chemistry for single-reference systems. Using W4 and W4lite theories, we calculate post-CCSD(T) contributions to the total atomization energies (TAEs) of n-alkanes and show that they reach up to 0.65 kcal/mol for n-hexane. Furthermore, we find that post-CCSD(T) contributions increase linearly with the size of the n-alkane, indicating that they will reach similar to 1 kcal/mol for n-decane (C10H22) and similar to 2 kcal/mol for n-icosane (C20H42). These results are significant since today CCSD(T)/CBS-type methods are being applied to hydrocarbons of increasing size and are assumed to give TAEs with chemical accuracy for these systems. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.