Abstract: An optimized cold rolling-annealing route was developed to regulate the microstructure and texture of micro-carbon (0.037 wt.% in carbon content) steel sheets with the purpose of improving their formability. A systematic investigation was carried out on the evolution of microstructural features and crystallographic texture during processing, highlighting their intrinsic correlation with mechanical performance. The results demonstrate that applying a 75% cold rolling reduction followed by annealing at 630 ℃ yields better formability, where the average plastic strain ratio (\overliner) increases markedly from 0.86 to 1.48. Under these conditions, the microstructure is mainly composed of equiaxed ferrite with a minor amount of granular pearlite, and the ferrite grains have an average size of about 15.3 lm, displaying fine-grain bands and a bimodal size distribution along the rolling direction. Heavy cold rolling strongly promotes the development of the beneficial c-fiber texture 111//ND (normal direction), while suppressing the unfavorable a-fiber texture <110> //RD (rolling direction). Grains with 111 orientation store higher strain energy, which provides preferential sites for nucleation and recrystal-lization during annealing, leading to a strengthened c-fiber texture and enhanced formability. In addition, high-strain regions adjacent to carbides activate the particle-stimulated nucleation mechanism, which further reinforces the c-fiber texture and contributes positively to the improvement of sheet formability.