Abstract Quasi-one dimensional crystals are built of elements pertaining to fifteen elementary conformation classes. Quite recently, general expressions for diffraction intensity have been found for each of these classes. Here, these results are used to predict diffraction patterns from inorganic MS 2 (M = Mo,W) single-wall nanotubes. It is shown that although the considered nanotubes are many-orbit systems they can be fully characterized by comparing their normal incidence diffraction patterns with the simulated ones (if the measurements are sensitive enough). Namely, all the symmetry group parameters (being uniquely related to the chiral indices of a nanotube) can be gathered from the pattern while numerical simulations have proved to be satisfactory fast. Precise determination of the tube parameters, like chirality and number of walls is discussed.