Using SHS(Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis) method, the optimum synthetic condition of titanium carbonitride was established by controlling the parameters such as relative density of mixture (Ti+C), nitrogen pressure, additive amounts of titanium hydride(TiH1.924) and protecting heat loss. Under 1 atm nitrogen pressure, nitridation ratio with changing relative density of the sample compacts has a maximum (87.2%) at about 55%, and in the case of enveloping the pellet with a quartz tube, the highest nitridation ratio of 90% was obtained at about 68%. At relative density of 55%, nitridation ratio with the nitrogen pressure has a miximum (87.3%) at 7 atm. As the amounts of additive titanium hydride increased, nitridation ratio decreased at below 7 atm nitrogen pressure and, increased at above this pressure until percent of addition percent reached 15 wt% and decreased abruptly upon futher increases in titanium hydride. In the synthesis of TiCxNy by combustion reaction, heat transfer from combustion zone to preheating zone and nitrogen gas penetration into the compact were found to be important factors affecting the TiCxNy formation. It was difficult to obtain high nitridation ratio when the conbustion temperature was either too high or too low, and it seems that the retention of high temperature after a combustion wave sweeped through the reactant mixture pellet is critical to obtain a satisfactory nitridation ratio.