Preparation of porous carbons from phase-inversion membranes was investigated as a control method of pore structure in carbon materials. The structure in carbon films was estimated by means of electron microscopy, mercury porosimetry, and gas-adsorption methods. When phase-inversion membranes of Kapton-type polyimide were carbonized, they maintained the film form and gave macroporous carbon films having high porosity. However, micro- and mesopore structures in the carbon films were not influenced by phase inversion in the polymer stage, and, thus, the macroporous carbons had a molecular sieve property similar to that of carbons prepared from nonporous polyimide films. A macroporous structure in cellulose membranes was similarly maintained through the carbonization step, but some of these were fractured or deformed owing to the large shrinkage. Polymer membranes have a capability as porous carbon precursors if they satisfy two requirements : solid-state carbonization and relatively high carbon yield. A composite membrane of a macroporous carbon with a dense carbon having an impervious ability was readily produced by shaping at the precursor stage.