In this paper, the novel boron nitride micron tubes (BNMTs) were used to reinforce commercial boron carbide (B 4 C) ceramics prepared via spark plasma sintering technology. The effects of the sintering parameters, sintering temperature, the holding time, and the BNMTs content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of B 4 C/BNMTs composite ceramics were studied. The results indicated that adding a proper amount of BNMTs could inhibit the grain growth of B 4 C and improve the fracture toughness of the B 4 C/BNMTs composite ceramics. The prepared composite ceramic sample with 5 wt% BNMTs at 1850 • C, 8 min and 30 MPa displayed the best mechanical properties. The relative density, hardness, fracture toughness, and bending strength of the samples were 99.7% ± .1%, 35.62 ± .43 GPa, 6.23 ± .2 MPa m 1/2 , and 517 ± 7.8 MPa, respectively.Therein, the corresponding value of hardness, fracture toughness, and bending strength was increased by 10.3%, 43.59%, and 61.5%, respectively, than that of the B 4 C/BNMTs composite ceramic without BNMTs. It was proved that the high interface binding energy and bridging effect between boron carbide and BNMTs were the toughening principle of BNMTs.