The　influencing　factors,　distribution　characteristics　and　evolution　mechanisms　of　the　typical　low-energy　grain　boundaries　in　the　WC-Co　cemented　carbides　were　demonstrated.　Based　on　characterizations　from　various　angles,　the　correlations　of　grain　shape　aspect　ratio,　WC　contiguity　and　distribution　of　low-energy　grain　boundaries　were　analyzed　for　cemented　carbides　with　addition　of　different　grain　growth　inhibitors.　It　was　found　that　the　Sigma　2　grain　boundaries　have　higher　fraction　in　the　cemented　carbides　with　stable　complexions,　finer　grain　size　and　larger　WC　contiguity.　The　Sigma　13a　grain　boundaries　are　likely　to　form　in　the　cemented　carbides　with　anisotropic　surface　energy　by　coalescence　of　WC　platelets　with　large　shape　aspect　ratio.　The　results　suggest　that　the　fraction　and　distribution　of　low-energy　grain　boundaries　in　the　cemented　carbides　can　be　modulated　by　matching　grain　growth　inhibitor　and　sintering　temperature　of　the　initial　WC-Co　composite　powder.　(C)　2019　Acta　Materialia　Inc.　Published　by　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.