A low temperature processing route for fabricating porous SiC ceramics by carbothermal reduction has been demonstrated. Effects of expandable microsphere content, sintering temperature, filler content, and carbon source on microstructure, porosity, compressive strength, cell size, and cell density were investigated in the processing of porous silicon carbide ceramics using expandable microspheres as a pore former. A higher microsphere content led to a higher porosity and a higher cell density. A higher sintering temperature resulted in a decreased porosity because of an enhanced densification. The addition of inert filler increased the porosity, but decreased the cell density. The compressive strength of the porous ceramics decreased with increasing the porosity. Typical compressive strength of porous SiC ceramics with ${sim}70%$ porosity was ${sim}13 MPa$.