The aim of this study is to explore the potential of fractal analysis in helping to understand the textural changes of materials during the manufacture of active carbons. Textural characterization of the chars is carried out in order to obtain a better understanding of the phenomena underlying char formation. The materials selected for study were a series of chars obtained from coals oxidized in air at various temperatures for different periods of time. The data from mercury porosimetry were analyzed using fractal models. The average fractal dimensions for the chars were calculated by using the methods proposed by Friesen and Mikula and that of Zhang and Li. Fractal profiles of the chars obtained by the method of Neimark were compared with the corresponding fractal profiles of the precursor coals. Pore development during carbonization depends among other factors that are kept constant in this study-on the textural properties of the precursor coal, the devolatilization process and the plastic properties of coals. The evolution of the fractal characteristics of the chars is also studied. At the same time pore volume development is analyzed. These analyses help to clarify the role that various phenomena occurring during carbonization have on the textural properties of the chars. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.