In a carbon thread, vapor phase growth carbon fiber (VGCF) are dispersedly contained in a carbon matrix. The carbon thread is produced by forming a thread-like element from a mixture of VGCF and carbonizable carbon-containing compound and then by heat-treating the thread-like element to effect carbonization thereon. The thread-like element may be formed either by melt-spinning or solution-spinning the mixture, or by impregnably adhering the mixture onto a thread of heat resisting fibers. The carbonized carbon thread thus obtained may be subjected to further heat treatment to graphitize the carbon thread.