The strength of carbon-containing pellet is one of the main reasons restricting the application of carbon-containing pellet in the field of low-carbon ironmaking. In view of the problem that the strength of carbon-containing pellet is difficult to meet the equipment requirements, the effects of bentonite, sodium metasilicate and HPMC on the falling strength and compressive strength of cold-pressed carbon-containing pellet are studied, and the pelletizing mechanism of adhesive and microstructure of the fresh pellet are analyzed. The results show that the pellet strength decreases with the decrease of iron ore particles and increases with the decrease of pulverized coal particles. With the increase of bentonite, sodium metasilicate and HPMC, the compressive strength and falling strength of carbon-containing pellet show an increasing trend. SEM analysis of the microstructure and morphology of the pellet show that bentonite is attached to the surface of iron ore particles in an aggregation state, while HPMC could be immersed around or inside iron ore, which can significantly improve the falling strength and compressive strength of carbon-containing pellet.