Temperature profiles of alumina supported Rh, Pt and Pd catalysts were investigated during the reactions related to autothermal reforming of methane by means of IR thermography. From the results of the mixture of reforming gas (CH4:H2O = 1:1) with combustion gas (CH4:O-2 = 1:2), we evaluated the overlap between the reforming and the combustion reaction zones. The most significant overlap was observed over Rh catalyst. In addition, the effect of W/F and reaction temperature on the temperature profiles and catalytic performance in the autothermal reforming reaction were systematically examined. The overlap between these reaction zones led to it higher methane conversion even at lower W/F during autothermal reforming of methane; such an overlap was considered to contribute to the inhibition of the hot spot formation. This phenomenon demonstrated an efficient heat transfer from exothermic combustion to endothermic reforming, (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.