The structure and mechanical properties of crystalline whiskers with an average diameter of 600 nm, composed of C 60 molecules were studied by transmission electron microscopy combined with nanonewton force measurements used in atomic force microscopy. C 60 nanowhiskers with a body-centered tetragonal structure are compressed along their long axis. Young's modulus of the C 60 nanowhiskers was estimated to be 28±5 GPa. The buckling stress was correlated to the aspect ratio of length to diameter of the C 60 nanowhiskers. The (100) surface was the principal fracture surface of the C 60 nanowhiskers.