Adsorption of phenol on activated carbon in a fixed bed was studied. The effects of fixed-bed length, superficial velocity (flow rate) and particle size of adsorbent on fixed-bed performance were investigated. Some characteristic parameters such as the breakthrough time ($t_{0.05}$), saturation time ($t_{0.95}$), length of mass transfer zone ($L_{MTZ}$), adsorptive capacity (W), and adsorption rate constant ($K_a$) were derived from the breakthrough curves. Adsorbent particle sizes significantly affected the shape of the breakthrough curve. Larger particle sizes resulted in an earlier breakthrough, a longer $L_{MTZ}$ and a lower adsorption rate. Superficial velocity was a critical factor for the external mass transfer during fixed-bed adsorption process. The external mass transfer resistance was dominant as increasing superficial velocity.