Mono- and diesters of the short and medium chain acids were prepared with polyglycerols and compared with their corresponding mono- and diglycerides. The physical and chemical properties of such partial esters of polyglycerols, particularly with respect to their oil, water and solvent solubility are given. Polyglycerol esters become more hydrophilic as the molecular weight of the polyol increases. Polyglycerol esters become less hydrophilic as the length of the aliphatic chain of the acid used in esterification is increased. Polyglycerol esters of such short and medium chain fatty acids show promise in applications where surface activity and emulsification, solubilization of oil and water systems is desired.