Recently porous metal has been used as supporting metal in planar type SOFC. In order to search optimum alloys for porous metal support and estimate the stability of metal-supported SOFC at high temperature, it is necessary to investigate the oxidation behaviors of porous material for metal support in comparison with dense material. Oxidation tests of porous and dense stainless steels were conducted at $600^{circ}C$ and $800^{circ}C$. Since the specific surface area of porous material is much larger than that of dense material, surface area should be considered in order to compare the oxidation rate of porous stainless steel with that of dense stainless steel. The specific surface area of porous body was measured using image analyzer. The weight gain of porous stainless steel was much greater than those of dense stainless steels due to its larger specific surface area. considering the specific surface area, the oxidation rate of porous stainless steel is likely to be the same as that of dense stainless steel with the same surface area. The change in chromium content in stainless steel during oxidation was also investigated. The experimental result in chromium content in stainless steel during oxidation corresponded with the calculated value. While the change in chromium content in dense stainless steel during oxidation is negligible, chromium content in porous stainless steel rapidly decreases with oxidation time due to its large specific surface area. The significant decrease in chromium content in porous stainless steel during oxidation may affect the oxidation resistance of porous stainless steel support and long term stability of metal-supported SOFC.