In the paper coal-based amorphous carbon was made by a simple method from anthracite raw material, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), and Raman spectra. Electrochemical behavior of coal-based amorphous carbon as Sodium ion battery anode has been investigated by charge/discharge testy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results showed that the ball to the raw coal ratio had a greater influence on the granularity of the coal-based amorphous carbon milled, and the HNO3 activation could improve its electrochemical performance. It was found that coal-based amorphous carbon had high rate capability and long cycling performance, providing a reversible capacity of 138 mAh/g at a current density of 50 mA/g after 80 cycles and delivering a capacity of 93 mAh/g at 500 mA/g after 1000 cycles. (C) 2018 The Electrochemical Society.