A DTA study has been made to investigate the thermal reactivities of five Turkish lignites (Elbistan, Ilgin, Karliova, Xangal, Yatagan) in an air atmosphere. The coal samples exhibited thermal reactivity at temperatures starting from 20 °C and continuing up to 671 °C. Endothermic peaks were observed at the lower end of the temperature range, the highest endothermic peak temperature being 146°C for Elbistan lignite. Exothermic peaks appeared at around 260, 360 and 600 °C. These temperatures are considered to signify the release and combustion of single benzene ring structures and combustion of condensed aromatic rings respectively. Corresponding stages are observed in the TGA traces. After correcting for differences in methodology, the overall heat effects measured by DTA are within greater than 90% of the calorific values of the coal samples determined by bomb calorimetry.