This paper investigates the characteristics of under-ventilated fires in tunnels. This was done by using both model and medium-scale tunnels. The fuels used were heptane and xylene. The mass loss rates per unit area, ventilation rates from tunnel inlet, flame characteristics, O 2 , CO and CO 2 concentrations, optical densities and heat release rates were measured and recorded. Results show that the fire behaviors in under-ventilated tunnel fires are different from that in well-ventilated fires. In under-ventilated fires, the mass loss rate per unit area is found to decrease during identical periods due to the low oxygen concentration resulting from the low ventilation rate and vitiation, meanwhile the flame size dramatically reduces with a lifted and fluttering flame. This was clearly observed in model-scale tests, but due to limited optical view there was no possibility to observe this in the medium-scale tests. As a result, the ventilation rate approaches the amount required for complete combustion of vaporized fuel. This indicates that the combustion has converted from ventilation-controlled to fuel-controlled. No significant increase in CO production is observed in under-ventilated fires. Besides, the equivalence ratio and combustion efficiency were analyzed in order to judge whether the combustion is fuel-controlled or ventilation-controlled. This study provides new experimental information that contributes to improving the understanding of characteristics of under-ventilated fires in tunnel and can help firefighters to make right judgements and take related protective measures during the rescue processes.