A kinetic study of the oxidation of carbon materials and an analysis of their differing reactivities are presented. Oxidation experiments of diesel soot and graphite were carried out and kinetics-limited oxidation experiments of graphite and a range of low-mineral graphitic carbons – a carbon black, ethylene flame soot, diesel soot and coke – were modelled. The experiments allowed for calibration of a three-step semi-global surface mechanism for each of the materials. The surface description and coupled reactor model are capable of reproducing experiments at different temperature regimes and reactor configurations. Kinetic parameters k i are expressed in terms of carbon content. Activation energies in particular, increase with carbon content. The values of k i enclose intrinsic reactivity effects due to the degree of crystallinity and surface chemistry (RSA/TSA).