Gieseler fluidity characterization is an important method to evaluate the fluidity of coal which highly influences the cohesive properties of coke formation. A concept of fluidity-temperature area S-1gF instead of maximum fluidity 1gMF was put forward to be used as the index of Gieseler fluidity characterization. Thirty-five coal samples were tested by Gieseler characterization and the sensitivity for identifying coal cohesiveness by S-1gF and 1gMF were compared. It was found that S-1gF has a more sensitive resolution of coal fluidity than 1gMF and it could give a correct result for judging coal cohesiveness in accordance with the comprehensive cohesiveness in most cases, especially for coals having almost same 1gMF values.