Abstract: Yunnan is rich in coal resources，and has all kinds of coal.Coal processing and rational utilization are based on coal classification.Ideal classification methods not only have sufficient scientific evidence，but also be combined with practical applications. 'This paper discusses the coal classification method and characteristic indexes in combination with practical applications，and gives the factors that should be comprehensively considered when determining the coal type in practical applications.

Key words: coal classification, characteristic index, application examples