The ultraviolet absorption cross-sections of 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- and 3,5- dimethylbenzaldehydes are reported in the wavelength range 240-320 nm. The measurements were carried out in the temperature range 318-363 K using two different experimental systems (D 2 lamp-monochromator and D 2 lamp-diode array). The absorption spectra of the five aldehydes have been found to exhibit relatively high absorption cross-sections in the region of the tropospheric interest with maxima around 290 nm. This work provides the first UV cross-section measurements for these aromatic aldehydes. The obtained cross-section values enable us to estimate the tropospheric photolysis lifetimes of these compounds. The results suggest that photolysis could be an important removal process for these species in the troposphere.