39 activated carbons (ACs) were prepared by KOH activation of anthracite, using weight ratios KOH/anthracite (W) ranging from 1.5 to 7, activation temperatures (T) from 973 to 1073 K, and heating rates (Hr) from 1 to 5 K min(-1). ACs with high apparent surface areas (>3400 m(2) g(-1)), high micropore volumes (>1 cm(3) g(-1)) and high hydrogen storage capacities (up to 6.6 wt. %) were obtained. A statistical study was carried out to clarify the impact of synthesis conditions on hydrogen storage capacities of the resultant ACs. Analysis of variance (ANOvA) showed that both w and T have a significant impact on hydrogen storage capacity, whereas HT has not. A quadratic model was used to correlate W-2, W, T-2 and T to hydrogen storage capacities. The model adequately evaluated the impact of synthesis conditions on hydrogen storage capacities of the resultant ACs. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.