Abstract: Anthracite based porous carbon was prepared using anthracite as precursor, treating by mixed acid pre-oxidation and activating by KOH in argon atmosphere at 800℃. The structure of porous carbons were studied based on powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the activation mechanism was discussed. Electrochemical prop-erties were investigated base on the cyclic voltammetry and constant current charge discharge in the three-electrode system. The results show that the activation of anthracite is mainly due to reaction of KOH and anthracite and relate to potassium vapor running into the graphite-like layers, enlarging pore size under high temperature. New reactive points are introduced into the oxidized coal surface, which intensify the ablation and form hierachical pore structure finally. The specific capacitance of the activated anthracite is 99.71F/g, while the figure of anthracite treated by pre-oxidation increases to 112.59F/g under the current density of 0.2 A/g. The capacitance retention of oxidized anthracite after activation remains more than 50% under the current density of 20 A/g, which means it is good electrode material for supercapacitor.