The X‐ray solution scattering profiles of taxol microtubules made of purified tubulin and control microtubules, assembled either from purified tubulin in glycerol buffer (a non‐specific enhancer of the polymerization of tubulin) or from microtubule protein (a preparation containing tubulin plus microtubule associated proteins), were obtained to 3.3 nm resolution. These profiles show features of the microtubule wall structure which had not been observed in solution before. Comparison of the different profiles indicated that the structure of the microtubule wall is very similar in the three types of microtubules to the resolution of the measurements, however the mean diameter of the taxol microtubules is smaller than that of the control microtubules, by approximately one protofilament less. Actually, only 12 protofilament computer models of microtubules could fit the position of the maxima in the experimental scattering profile of the taxol microtubules. Having only 12 protofilaments implies a discontinuity on the microtubule wall, irrespective of whether the lateral contacts follow the A or B microtubule lattice, and also requires adjustment of the normal lattice to one protofilament axis with respect to the cylinder axis.The fact that the majority of these taxol microtubules assembled from purified tubulin have 12 protofilaments has been visualized by electron micrographs of tannic acid stained microtubule thin sections, and is fully consistent with the microtubule wall projections (fringe patterns) observed in negatively stained and cryo‐electron microscopy specimens, which correspond to a 12 protofilament‐three start lattice type.