AbstractFormulae for the absolute differential Raman scattering cross‐sections of fundamental modes of gases, liquids and solids as a function of the invariants of the Raman tensors are reviewed. Explicit expresslons for the Raman tensors of planar and pyramidal MX3molecules are reported in terms of bond polarizability parameters. For the pyramidal MX3Molecules the coefficients of these expressions cannot be summarized easily in simple formulae since they depend on the atomic masses and on the tribedral angle of the pyramid, but numerical values are tabulated for 27 molecules and ions. Several approximations of the bond polarizability model are briefly reviewed in connection with the expressions for the Raman tensor