The forms of oxygen in inertinite and vitrinite of Majiata coal were studied by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The type and content of the oxygen were determined through analysis of spectrum for oxygen and carbon.The result indicates that the main type of oxygen forms in Majiata coal and its macerals is single-bond including ether link C-O and hydroxyl group O-H,then is carbonyl group and carboxyl group.Both the total oxygen content and the content of single-bond oxygen in inertinite are lower than those in vitrinite.The content of carbonyl group and carboxyl group in inertinite is higher than that in vitrinite.