Abstract: Comparative analysis of butadiene yield in the pyrolysis products of four kinds of light hydrocarbons and refinery resources, proposed that the raw feedstock with high cycloalkanes (especially C₆ ~ C₈ cycloalkanes) content, low pyrolysis temperature, and high water-oil ratio are favorable for high butadiene yield. To maximize the economic benefits, the effects of the yield of butadiene, olefin market price and the coking problem must be taken into consideration in the selection of pyrolysis feedstock.