Conversion of methanol to olefins (MTO) was comparatively studied over three zeolites with different topologies, i.e. SAPO-34, H-ZSM-5 and H-ZSM-22. The correlation between reaction mechanism and the zeolite topology was also investigated. SAPO-34 presented the highest selectivity for light olefins such as ethene and propene, and no aromatics were detected. H-ZSM-5 showed relatively high selectivity for ethene and propene, and large amount of aromatics were detected. Over H-ZSM-22, the selectivity for ethene is very low and a large amount of non-aromatic C(6)(+) olefins generated. With the aid of (12)C-methanol/(13)C-methanol switch technique, the reaction routes followed by methanol conversion over the three catalysts could be distinguished. The reaction mechanisms, which varied with the zeolite topologies, caused the differences in catalytic performances. The co-reaction of (13)C-methanol with (12)C-olefin or (12)C-aromatic, were carried out for further clarification of the operation of the different catalytic cycles in methanol conversion. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.