The present invention relates to a method of producing tungsten carbide by gas phase direct carburization of a tungsten-oxide containing starting material, wherein the starting material is reacted with a reaction gas at an increased temperature. The starting material is first heated to a first temperature greater than or equal to 600.degree. C., before reacting with a reaction gas while increasing the temperature to a second temperature that does not exceed 850.degree. C., wherein the reaction gas is selected from the group consisting of CO and a COH.sub.2 gas mixture comprising up to 20% by volume H.sub.2.