This paper is mainly focused on the optimization of the micromachined heater for gas sensing applications designed to withstand high-temperature. Different microheater geometries and dimensions have been investigated regarding their power consumption, temperature distribution over the sensing area and robustness when annealed at high temperature. The designed microheater withstood annealing temperatures of up to 700°C and moreover robustness of the silicon nitride membrane allowed the sensing area to be heated up to a high temperature 400-700°C. © 2010 IEEE.