The effect of ladle degassing of aluminum deoxidized steels with carbon concentration from 0.09 to 0.33% on the oxygen content in the metal is studied. In this case, it is found that the degree of metal oxidation and the oxidation potential of the metal-slag system are controlled by the depth of precipitation deoxidation. The change in metal oxidation during vacuum degassing is determined by the change in aluminum concentration, metal temperature, and Al2O3 activity and can have a different sign. The nature of changes in the concentration of bound oxygen in steel as a result of vacuum degassing is opposite to the nature of changes in metal oxidation. The change in the content of total oxygen in the metal during vacuum degassing depends significantly on the concentration of carbon in the steel. © 2022, Allerton Press, Inc.