Abstract: In order to determine the characteristic temperature for coal spontaneous combustion, a programmed temperature experiment system was applied, and a n analysis method of index gas growth-rate was established on analysis method of index gas. The analysis was conducted on the CO and C2H4index gas, φ (CO)1φ (C 02)，alkane ratio and the growth-rate. The characteristic temperatures of coal spontaneous combustion for the different metamorphic grade coal samples were obtaine d. The critical temperature of non-caking coal from Fucheng Mine was 70 ~ 80 °C and the dry cracking temperature was 110 ~ 120 °C. The critical temperature of weak C aking coal from Shuiliandong Mine was 70 ~ 80 °C and the dry cracking temperature was 115 ~ 125 °C. The critical temperature of long flame coal from Yuhua Mine was 60~ 70。C and the dry cracking temperature was 100 ~ 110 °C. The critical temperature of gas-fat coal from Zhaolou Mine was80 ~ 90。C and the dry cracking temperat ure was 110 ~ 120 °C. The analysis results showed that the spontaneous combustion characteristic temperature of the different metamorphic grade coal samples obtain ed with the analysis method of index gas growth-rate was the same of the characteristic temperature obtained with the analysis method of index gas. The coal samples with higher metamorphic grade would not be easily oxidized.