Microstructural changes and hardness variations in STS 304 steel have been investigated during the processes of carbide dispersion (CD) carburization; carburization, austenitization, subzero treatment and tempering. The carbon content of the surface layer increased up to maximum 4.0% after carburization, and the content was homogenized with the value of 2.3% to the $95{mu}m$ from the surface after austenitization. The carbide appeared during CD carburization process was $Cr_7C_3$ type, which was composed network carbides along the austenite grain boundaries, square type carbides in the interior of the grain and fine nano-sized carbides. The fine nano-sized carbides precipitated at the austenitization stage and possibly subzero treatment stage were coarsened after tempering at $200^{circ}C$, resulting the hardness decrease. The tempered steel without subzero treatment increased hardness with increasing time due to the continuous precipitation of fine carbides during tempering. The nano-sized carbide appeared square type morphology.