Abstract: According to obtained desorption methane content analysis from domestic coalfield exploration and coalbed gas test wells and development wells in recent years, this paper suggests that the distribution of coalbed methane content are of characteristics of the south-high and north-low, the east-high and west-low in China. The regions with highest methane contents are found mainly in gas-bearing areas or zones in center and south parts of Hunan province and Pingle in South China; those in Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan province; those in Qingshui, eastern margin of Erdos basin and Weibei in Shanxi-Shaanxi-Inner Mongolia region; those in south part of Heilongiang-ilin-Liaoning province; secondly， in east part of Hebei-Shandong-Henan-Anhui province. The regions with lower methane contents are in north-cental part of Heilongiang-Jilin-Liaoning province, Beijiang area, east part of Hebei-Shandong-Henan-Anhui province, north part and west central part of Shanxi-Shaanxi-Inner Mongolia region. This result could provide decision-making bases for coalbed gas exploration and development.

Key words: China, coal bed, methane, distribution