Abstract: In order to objectively evaluate the gas potential of coal measure source rock with the medium- high thermal evolution stage and improve the evaluation criteria of coal measure source rock in China, combining the evaluation criteria of coal measure source rock with low thermal evolution stage and the thermal evolution I aw of the organic matter of coal measures, this paper put forward the gas potential evaluation criteria of coal measure source rocks ( coal and coal- bearing mudstone) with the medium- high thermal evolution stage. By using the criteria, the gas potential of coal and coal- bearing mudstone of the Shanxi Formation in the Qinshui Basin were also comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that thermal evolution level was an important factor that affected the gas potential of coal measure source ro ck. The coal measure source rocks ( coal and coal- bearing mudstone) of Shanxi Formation in Qinshui Basin were generally better gas potential, but different blocks in t his basin had different gas potential. The good source rocks were mainly distributed in Shouyang, Yangquan, Yuci, Pingyao and other regians in southern Qinshui Basi n