The present chapter deals with adsorption by carbon gels. In the introduction, we recall what carbon gels are and how they are prepared, with a special focus on those derived from phenolic resins. Details about drying process and resultant porous structure and bulk density are given. Adsorption as a characterization tool is considered in section 2, especially nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. The main kinds of isotherms encountered with carbon gels are reviewed and discussed in relation to their most frequent porous structures. A critical comparison of porosity assessment methods is provided. In section 3, we consider adsorption in the gas phase: adsorption of permanent gases with applications such as storage or separation, and adsorption of condensable vapors with the aim of abating or detecting them. Finally, adsorption in the liquid phase is discussed in section 4: organics, halides, metals, as well as adsorption in the framework of energy storage.