The purpose of our study was to develop the fabrication method of porous diatomite ceramics with a porosity gradient by centrifugal molding. The processing variables of centrifugal molding were derived from Stoke's law of sedimentation, which were the radius of the particles, the acceleration due to centrifugal molding and the dynamic viscosity of the slurry. And these could be controlled by ball-milling conditions, centrifugal conditions, and the addition of methyl cellulose, respectively. The effects of processing conditions on the gradient pore structure of diatomite were investigated by particle size analysis, scanning electron microscope, and mercury porosimeter.