The mechanical strength and pore structure of special-purpose coke are determined in classical and thermooxidative coking (heating rate 2.3 and >30 degrees C/min, respectively). The relationship between the coke's strength and porosity is established. By mercury porosimetry, the volume of the pores and their distribution within the coke are determined. In the thermooxidative coking of long-flame Shubarkol coal, the pore size of the special-purpose coke obtained (800-1200 nm) is an order of magnitude greater than that of regular coke (100 nm).