The invention discloses a low-cost asphalt-based spherical activated carbon with hierarchical porouse structure. According to the invention, asphaltic coal with softening point of 130-230 DEG C is used as a raw material, a low-temperature decomposable organic matter is used as a pore forming agent, after mixing, crushing, spheroidizing, air oxidation, liquid phase oxidation, charring, steam activation, and pickling, the asphalt-based spherical activated carbon is prepared.Regarding the asphalt-based spherical activated carbon, sphere diameter is 0.4-1.5 mm, density is 0.5-0.85 g/cm<3>, ratiospecific surface area is 800-1,500 m<2>/g, vibration strength is greater than 95%, microporous content is 60-83%, mesoporous content is 30-5%, macroporous content is 10-12%, and sphericity is greater than 99%.The invention has significant important significance for promoting the engineering of asphaltpitch-based spherical activated carbon and promoting the application of spherical activated carbon in civil, industrial, aerospace and other fields.