The decomposition kinetics of low grade coals was studied and compared with the kinetics of higher grade coals using thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of atmospheres (air, O2 and N2) on coal decomposition kinetics was also investigated. Experiments were carried out under non-isothermal conditions from room temperature to 950 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. Three kinetic models--multiple linear regression equation, unreacted shrinking core and continuous reaction--were used to determine the kinetic parameters of coal decomposition. From the kinetic parameters determined through the multiple linear regression equation, coal type and the atmosphere had an effect on coal decomposition kinetics. Also, there was some variation in the kinetic parameters of coal decomposition determined by the chosen kinetic models. However, the model employing multiple linear regressions yielded consistent results with respect to theoretical background. Under air, the order of the secondary decomposition of coal samples was found to be 0.88, 1.33, 1.69 and 1.52 for samples A, B, C and D, respectively. The order of the secondary decomposition of coal samples when operated under O2 was 1.09, 1.45, 2.36 and 1.81 for samples A, B, C and D, respectively. Under N2, the order of the secondary decomposition of coal samples was 0.72, 0.79, 1.15 and 1.02 for samples A, B, C and D, respectively.