A process for the production of tungsten carbide or mixed metal carbides, which comprises mixing tungsten oxide powder of mixed high melting point metal oxide powders with carbon powder in an amount sufficient to form the corresponding carbide, heating the mixture at a temperature of higher than 1000.degree. C in an inert atmosphere or in vacuum to reduce the oxygen content and then heating at a temperature of higher than 1400.degree. C in hydrogen atmosphere, thereby to form tungsten carbide or mixed metal carbides directly from the corresponding oxide.