The crystal structure of empressite, AgTe, a rare silver telluride, has been investigated by in situ X-ray single-crystal diffraction methods within the temperature range 298–463K. AgTe remains orthorhombic, space group Pmnb (Pnma as standard), and shows only normal thermal expansion over the entire temperature range. The unit-cell parameters show a gradual increase with the increase of temperature. Slight adjustments in the geometry of Ag-tetrahedra and in the crystal-chemical environment of tellurium atoms occur in a continuous way without abrupt structural changes. The coefficients of thermal expansion along various axes are: α a =1.5×10 −5 K −1 , α b =3.0×10 −5 K −1 , α c =2.2×10 −5 K −1 , and the bulk thermal expansion coefficient α V is 5.4×10 −5 K −1 for the temperature range 298–463K.