Cellulose dinitrate (CDN), cellulose diacetate (CDA), and cellulose triacetate (CTA) were subjected to high-resolution thermogravimetry (TG) at a variable heating rate in air. The TG curves, the derivative TC; curves, the second derivative TCT curves, and heating rate curves are discussed. The thermal degradation temperature and kinetic parameters are presented and compared to those obtained with traditional TG at a constant heating rate. The degradation process of the cellulose esters is speculated. Among the three cellulose esters, CDN exhibits the lowest degradation temperature of (213 degrees C) but the largest degradation activation energy of (237-269 kJ/mol).