Abstract: Techniques for controlling the pore structure and its importance in carbon materials are reviewed after a brief explanation on classification and characterization of pores. Recent understanding of conventional activation processes are reviewed and then pore structure control techniques without activation are shown, including the template method, defluorination of PTFE, carbon aerogels, polymer blend method, selection of specific precursors, and selection of preparation conditions. Five examples are presented to show the importance of pore structure control in carbon materials, which included CO₂ capture, water vapor adsorption/desorption, gasoline vapor adsorption, carbon electrodes for electric double layer capacitors, and heavy oil sorption and recovery.