Cordierite(2MgO$.$2Al2O3$.$5SiO2) was known to display low thermal expansions over wide temperature ranges, but showed poor mechanical strength. The present studies have been concerned with the sintering of cordierite based ceramics containing pure or stabilized zirconia. The crystallographic and microstructural results were not affected by the fact whether added zirconia was stabilized or not. As the contents of zirconia were increased, M.O.R., KIC, bulk densities were increased but the thermal expansion coefficients were decreased.