Abstract: Direct decomposition of methanol has been investigated using gliding arc gas discharge (GRD) at atmospheric pressure. Depending on the experimental conditions of Ar flow rate, methanol concentration, the electrode gap, input voltage and vaporization room temperature (VRT), different conversions are achieved ranging from 51.0% to 81.7%. Interestingly, the selectivity to the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide is kept almost constant under all the experimental conditions. The formation of little methane and C₂H_x as a byproduct, and trace quantity of carbon dioxide are detected. The reaction channels of methanol decomposition induced by GRD plasma is proposed in detail.