New measurements of the influence of Cr and V on the melting temperature of the binder phase in Co-based hardmetals are presented. It was shown that both Cr and V affect the melting temperature significantly. Cr decreases the melting temperature by over 100°C, and V by approximately 40°C. This is due to the high solubility of Cr and V in liquid Co, and this solubility was determined by experiments and calculations. The solubility of Cr in solid fccCo is also discussed, as well as the composition of the MC, M7C3 and the M6C carbides in alloys with Cr and V. The new experimental information is used to obtain a reliable thermodynamic description of the binder phase (Co-rich) in C-Co-Cr-W and C-Co-V-W alloys. Calculated equilibria are compared with experiments. © Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co. KG.