Some 7-hydroxymethyl-3-aryl-4,6-dimethoxyindoles 1 undergo acid catalysed cyclotetramerisation in addition to cyclotrimerisation to give the calix[4]indoles 3 as well as the calix[3]indoles 2: me tetramers 3, which display a 1,3-alternate cube-like structure, can also be obtained by the acid catalysed dimerisation of 7-hydroxymethyl-2,7'-dindolylmethanes 7.