Laminar flame speeds of formic acid were measured at equivalence ratios of 0.4-1.6, initial temperature of 423-453 K and atmospheric pressure. Chemical kinetic models (Glarborg model and AramcoMech 3.0) were validated against the present experimental data. Deep kinetic insight was investigated using the present models. In addition, detailed analysis was carried out according to transport, thermal and kinetic effect to find out the totally different performance of these two models. The results show that the simulated laminar flame speeds using Glarborg model match well with experimental data while AramcoMech 3.0 apparently over predicts the laminar flame speeds. HOCO and OCHO are driving species for the laminar flame speed of formic acid. Furthermore, the pathway analysis indicates formic acid is consumed mainly by abstraction reaction with OH, forming OCHO radical, which quickly dissociates to H + CO2. (C) 2020 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.