Abstract: The migration behavior of zinc during the iron ore reduction and softening-melting process was investigated through a staged heating blast furnace simulation experiment, analyzing the reduction and volatilization characteristics of zinc under different charging methods (top/bosh) and their impacts on blast furnace operation. The results indicate that zinc is predominantly enriched in the top dust and coke regardless of whether top charging or bosh injection is employed, with extremely low zinc content detected in the hot metal. When ZnO blocks are introduced through top charging, comparable zinc contents are observed between the top dust and coke. In contrast, when ZnO blocks are injected through the bosh, the zinc content in the top dust is significantly higher than that in the coke, which is attributed to the rapid penetration of zinc vapor through the burden layer after being subjected to high-temperature reduction at the bosh region, resulting in shorter residence time in the coke. The catalytic effect of zinc on coke dissolution loss is demonstrated, leading to increased coke reactivity and decreased post-reaction strength, with the mechanism explained by the promotion of ketone group decomposition and CO generation reactions. This study reveals the distribution pattern of zinc within the blast furnace and its influence mechanism on coke performance.