Abstract: Effects of ignition temperature, peak temperature and burnout temperature of coal on the volatile matter w(V_daf) and carbon content w(C_daf) reflecting metamorphic grade of the coal were investigated by thermogravimetric experiments and vitrinite reflectivity analysis, so as to study the relationship between the position of combustion rate peak and the metamorphic grade. Results show that under temperature-programmed conditions, the ignition temperature increases with the rise of metamorphic grade; the peak temperature and burnout temperature show a good linear relationship with the ignition temperature, with correlation coefficients of R²=0.961 4 and R²=0.956 6 respectively. The relative position of combustion rate peak well reflects the degree of metamorphic grade, i.e. the relative position of combustion curve and combustion rate peak for the coal with high metamorphic grade lies in the high temperature region, whereas the relative position of combustion curve and combustion rate peak for the coal with low metamorphic grade lies in the low temperature region.