M_r = 323•2, trigonal, P3, α = 13•933(3), c = 13•438(4) Å, V = 2266•7 ų, Z = 6, D_m = 1•42, D_x = 1•421 Mg m^-3, λ(Mo Kα) = 0•71069 Å, μ = 2•866 mm^-1, F(000) = 984, room temperature, final R = 0•049 for 976 observed reflections. The molecules lie in special positions on the crystallographic threefold axes. They are associated in pairs and form two distinct Ph₃C-Br • • • Br-CPh₃ head-to-head arrangements characterized by long C-Br bonds and short Br • • • Br contacts. The shortest Br • • • Br distance (3•203 Å) is about 0•5 Å smaller than the sum of the van der Waals radii. The lattice energy was computed using two different sets of published Buckingham potential functions. These calculations account satisfactorily for all the salient features of the crystal packing. Analysis of the thermal motion showed that the rigid-body approximation holds reasonably well for the triphenylbromomethane molecule.