A method of producing a silicon carbide sintered body is disclosed. The sintered body having a density of at least 2.4 g/cm.sup.3 is produced by preparing a mixture consisting mainly of silicon carbide with an average particle size of not more than 3.0 microns and a temporary binder, shaping the mixture into a green body and sintering the green body at a temperature of 1,750.degree. C.-2,100.degree. C. Before the sintering, silicon carbide is contacted with either hydrofluoric acid or anhydrous hydrofluoric acid and an atmosphere is held in a non-oxidizing state after the contact treatment up to the completion of the sintering.