A transition metal carbide is formed from a precursor mixture comprising at least one of the group consisting of: a transition metal, a transition metal carbide and a transition metal oxide. The precursor mixture may contain the desired transition metal carbide (e.g., WC), but if the desired transition metal carbide is present in the precursor mixture, there is necessarily a significant amount of another compound such as a transition metal oxide, undesired carbide (e.g., W2C) or transition metal. The method involves forming an admixture by mixing the precursor mixture with a sufficient amount of carbon to carburize the precursor mixture to the transition metal carbide and reacting the admixture in an inert or reducing atmosphere at a temperature for a time sufficient to convert the admixture to the transition metal carbide, wherein the admixture is reacted in the presence of a means to enhance transfer of heat into the admixture, an inert or reducing gas flowing through at least a portion of the admixture or combination thereof.