The positions of the CH4 Raman nu(1) symmetric stretching bands were measured in a wide range of temperature (from -180 degrees C to 350 degrees C) and density (up to 0.45 g/cm(3)) using high-pressure optical cell and fused silica capillary capsule. The results show that the Raman band shift is a function of both methane density and temperature; the band shifts to lower wavenumbers as the density increases and the temperature decreases. An equation representing the observed relationship among the CH4 nu(1) band position, temperature, and density can be used to calculate the density in natural or synthetic CH4-bearing inclusions. Copyright (C) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.