Pitch and artefact properties can be estimated by linear combinations of individual contributions from pitch solvent fractions (primary and secondary QI, β- and γ-resins) and by cross correlation with other important pitch properties, e.g. softening point, equiviscosity temperature, density of the pitch, vacuum distillate and C H-ratio. The importance of primary QI and β-resins for the quality of pitch is assessed quantitatively. Furthermore these linear regressions can be used to predict the effects of pitch composition changes on pitch and artefact properties. Also some effects of heteroatom content (nitrogen and sulphur) are illustrated. Finally the dominant influence of QI on binder pitch properties is discussed. A pitch with a high content of primary QI leads to a hard, isotropic binder pitch coke with high thermal expansion, high electrical resistance and low thermal conductivity.