We investigated the effects of operating variables, such as electrical. reactor and gas parameters on toluene removal and discharge property in the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) process. The toluene removal was initiated with the energy transfer to the reactor by loading of voltages higher than the discharge onset value. The energy transfer and toluene removal increased with the applied voltage. Higher removal rate was observed with smooth surface electrode despite of lower energy transfer compared with the coarse electrode, because more uniform discharge can be obtained on smooth surface state. The decrease of dielectric material thickness enhanced the removal efficiency by increasing the discharge potential. The toluene removal efficiency decreased with the increase of the inlet concentration. The increase of gas retention time enhanced the removal efficiency by the increase of energy density. The oxygen and humidity contents seem to exert significant influences on the toluene removal by dominating the generation of electrons, ions, and radicals which are key factors in the removal mechanism.