Densities between (278.15 and 308.15) K and isobaric heat capacities per unit volume from (280.15 to 308.15) K for ethanol + n-decane and n-undecane systems were determined at atmospheric pressure over the whole composition range. From these data, excess molar volumes and excess isobaric molar heat capacities were calculated by means of the Benson and Kiyohara's criterion. Results were analyzed in terms of the well-known microscopic effects that take place in alkanol + n-alkane systems. Their dependence with the size of the linear alkane was studied with the help of literature data of short alkyl chain 1-alkanol + long alkyl chain alkane systems. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.