Oxidation of methane over titania shows two parallel oxidation pathways, i.e., partial oxidation to CO + H2 + H2O and full oxidation to CO2 +2H2O. Both reactions proceed via a Mars van Krevelen mechanism with first order kinetics for methane and oxygen and are retarded by water. A mechanism is suggested in which methane is homolitically dissociated over O-(s) sites and via the formation and decomposition of a formaldehyde precursor reacted to CO, H2 and H2O. In parallel, CO2 is obtained from decomposition of bicarbonate that is formed via further oxidation of dioxymethylene.