Measurements, using the optical dilatometer described by Bunton and Weintroub, of the linear expansivities&agr;&psgr;between the temperatures 200 K and 6 K of four single crystal specimens of Te of orientations&psgr; = 0°, 45.5°, 86.5° and 90°are reported. It is shown that Voigt's law&agr;&psgr; = &agr;⊥ + (&agr;∥−&agr;⊥) cos2&psgr;is obeyed, where&agr;∥and&agr;⊥are the principal expansivities in the directions parallel and perpendicular respectively to the trigonal axis. Values of&agr;∥and&agr;⊥as a function of temperature are tabulated and shown graphically. Throughout the whole temperature range&agr;∥is negative and&agr;⊥positive. The Gru¨neisen parameters&ggr;∥and&ggr;⊥are calculated and are shown graphically as a function of temperature. Below 70 K,&ggr;∥ < &ggr;⊥, but at higher temperatures&ggr;∥remains> &ggr;⊥. An explanation for this behaviour in terms of the known lattice structure of Te is suggested.