The structure and temperature-induced structural changes of three polyamides, PA 6, PA 6.6 and PA 6.10, were investigated by X-ray diffraction. In all three polyamides a reduction of the distance in the hydrogen-bonded sheets was measured. A discontinuity in the temperature dependence of the d-spacings d100 and d110+010 was found only in PA 6.10 and 6.6. This can be interpreted by a change of the arrangement of the hydrogen bonds. Because of the existence of two equatorial peaks up to the melting point in PA 6 and PA 6.10, a non-statistic distribution of the hydrogen bonds can be assumed. In PA 6 the planar arrangement of the hydrogen bonds is maintained.