Ti(C,N) were prepared using titanium-bearing blast furnace slag ( [less-than or equal to] 0.074 mm, w(TiO2) = 21.19%) in Panzhihua Iron and Steel Co. and carbon black ( w(C) = 98%) as starting materials by carbothermal reduction -nitridation method in a vertical tube furnace. Reaction was performed at 1 300 °C,1 350 °C,1 400 °C, 1 450 °C and 1 500 °C, respectively for 2 h and at below 1 450 °C for 0, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 8 h in nitrogen atmosphere at flow rate of 0.5 L · min-1( > 95% purity). The effect of nitriding temperature and holding time on formation and grain size of Ti(C,N) were studied by X-ray diffractometry, Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and micro-image analysis. The results show that nitriding temperature significantly affects Ti(C,N) formation. With the increase of nitriding temperature from 1 300 °C to 1 500 °C, the relative content and grain size of Ti(C,N) in products increase. But no significant change occurs after rising over 1 450 °C. It is helpful to facilitate the formation and growth of Ti(C,N) by extending the holding time at 1 450 °C but no more than 2 h.