The oxidation of methane has been studied in a flow system as a function of the chemical composition of zeolite catalyst using nitrous oxide as oxidant. It is concluded that methanol is a primary oxidation product which may undergo further oxidation to formaldehyde and to carbon oxides. However, it may also undergo conversion over the acidic catalyst to higher hydrocarbons. Reaction with nitrous oxide resulted in the production of carbon oxides, methanol, formaldehyde, C-2- C-4, C-5- C-7 nonaromatics, and aromatics. The effect of Fe2O3 and Al2O3, with or without, over HZSM5 on products was studied.