Kinetic models applicable for chemical looping combustion in conjunction with relevant experimental studies investigating carrier material kinetics are reviewed. Based on a selection of experimental investigations from literature, where both data at different temperature levels and different gaseous reactant compositions are provided, a broad range of commonly used kinetic models is reviewed. The reaction rate as function of the degree of conversion is addressed which is important if kinetic models are applied within simulations on chemical looping combustion like particle based methods, multiphase CFD-approaches or macroscopic models. Results obtained indicate that most of the models tend to fail towards higher degrees of conversion where reaction rate is rapidly declining. As an alternative to commonly used models, several empirical models are proposed for the conversion rate. The new models perform well and might lead to improved large scale simulations. (C) 2011 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.