Granular activated carbons (>0.5 mm) have been prepared by KOH activation at 800 degrees C of cokes, size fraction of 0.63-1.25 mm, from high volatile bituminous coals. The most suitable coal is distinctive by the volatile matter content of about 33 wt.% and negative dilatation in the Audibert-Arnu test. The highest mechanical strength of granules is found for the activated carbons from cokes produced at 800-850 degrees C. They are microporous materials with porous texture parameters decreasing as the KOH/coke ratio varies from 4:1 to 2:1 in the range: surface area S-BET 1800-1200 m(2) g(-1), micropore volume V-DR 0.71-0.48 cm(3) g(-1) and mean micropore size L-0 1.12-0.76 nm. The granular activated carbons represent interesting properties for gas adsorption application. CO2 uptake measured at 273 K amounts to 140 cm(3) g(-1) under atmospheric pressure and 370 cm(3) g(-1) under 3.5 MPa, corresponding to 6.2 and 15.7 mmol g(-1), respectively. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.