The four crystallographically independent molecules present in the unit cell of N-[2-(7-methoxy-1-naphthyl)ethyl]acetamide, C15H17NO2, are very similar; the naphthalene ring is planar, the methoxy substituent is staggered and the side chain is oriented so that the amide and aromatic groups are approximately parallel. This conformation of the longer side chain is different from the fully extended conformation observed in the neurohormone melatonin.