The distribution of hopanoids and alkanes in bitumen extracts of coals, coaly shales, and shales from northwestern Taiwan has been measured to assess the maturity of potential petroleum source rocks in the studied area. The C₃₁ homohopane isomers of the studied coals and coaly shales attain equilibrium at maturity corresponding to 0.6% Ro measured in coals or 0.65% Ro in adjacent shales. A proposed parameter using hopanoid ratios reveals a more consistent trend and approaches a steady value at maturity similar to the C₃₁ homohopane isomer ratio. The results show that the onset of the main phase of petroleum generation in northwestern Taiwan takes place at maturity corresponding to VR of 0.6% Ro measured in coals or coaly shales and probably higher VR in shales. The distribution of pristane, phytane n-C₁₇ and n-C₁₈ confirms the validity of the conventional maturity indicators if the samples are from the same source, but shows depositionalor organic-source controls. The source influence on the phytane/n-C₁₈ ratio appears to be larger than that on the pristane/n-C₁₇ ratio. The phytane/n-C₁₈ ratio is also less sensitive to maturity than that of the pristane/n-C₁₇ ratio. The pristane/phytane ratios in the studied coals and coaly shales, in contrast to the pristane/n-C17 ratio, continue to decrease to maturities beyond the oil window up to 1.5% Ro and therefore may be applicable to high maturity sources.