Reaction pathway analyses were conducted for three mechanisms (designated as the Pitsch, Utah, and Lawrence Livermore National Lab) for a normal heptane premixed flame (Phi = 1.9) and a normal heptane opposed diffusion flame, in order to identify the relative importance of the major fuel consumption pathways in the two flame classes. In premixed flames, hydrogen abstraction is found to be the major fuel consumption route although it is surpassed by thermal decomposition when the flame temperature exceeds 1400-1500 K. At the higher temperatures, however, little fuel remains in a premixed flame so that thermal decomposition provides a minor pathway for overall fuel decomposition. The principal abstractor is the hydrogen radical in all three mechanisms with the hydroxyl radical having a secondary role. In opposed diffusion flames, thermal decomposition competes with hydrogen abstraction in providing the major pathway for fuel consumption. Thermal decomposition becomes important when a large fraction of the fuel reaches the high-temperature zone in a flame. By understanding the relative importance of competing fuel consumption pathways, mechanisms can be tailored to each specific application by eliminating or lumping insignificant reactions. The results obtained in this study for n-heptane may be used to guide the reduction of existing mechanisms for a particular application or the generation of mechanisms for the combustion of larger paraffins that are major components of liquid aviation and transportation fuels.