The conformations of the N—H and C=O bonds in the structure of the title compound (N26DMP4CBA), C15H14ClNO, are anti to each other, similar to that observed in N-phenylbenzamide, N-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)benzamide, N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)benzamide and other benzanilides. There are three molecules in the asymmetric unit of N26DMP4CBA. The central amide group is tilted with respect to the benzoyl ring by 45.2 (1)° in molecule 1, 21.2 (2)° in molecule 2 and 14.9 (2)° in molecule 3. The dihedral angles between the benzoyl and aniline rings are 39.9 (1), 51.0 (1) and 86.3 (3)° in molecules 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Intermolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into infinite chains running along the [101] direction. One xylyl group is disordered over two positions; the site occupancy factors are ca 0.6 and 0.4.