This paper has systematically investigated the gradient microstructures in WC-20TiC-0.5VC-0.5Cr2C3-12Co cemented carbides synthesized in vacuum and nitriding sintering, respectively. The study shows that sintering atmosphere has a critical effect on gradient structure of WC-TiC-Co carbide. The vacuum sintering results in a surface layer free of face center cubic (FCC) phase. The thickness of FCC-free surface layer is more than 20 μm. The nitriding sintering results in the formation of a FCC (Ti(C,N) and TiC) rich surface layer. It shows that N2 pressure has an important effect on the thickness of FCC-rich surface layer. The higher N2 pressure results in the thicker FCC-rich surface layer. The microstructure in the core of the carbides synthesized in either vacuum or nitriding sintering atmosphere shares similar microstructure of WC, (W,Ti)C, TiC and Co phases. Compared with nitriding sintering, vacuum sintering leads to coarser WC grains in the core of the carbide. © 2020, Materials Review Magazine. All right reserved.