Abstract A time resolved in situ X‐ray powder diffraction study using synchrotron radiation allowed for describing the evolution of the zeolite FAU structure during the development of a zeolite‐templated carbon (ZTC) in its porous voids. During the ZTC formation the intensity decrease of most zeolite reflections and the simultaneous rise in intensity of the 222 reflection (of null intensity in the pristine zeolite) was observed. Full pattern profile fitting by Rietveld refinement allowed for achieving a detailed description of the underlying chemistry, with coincident pore filling with carbon atoms in specific positions and framework distortion. Monitoring the intensity profiles of the 222 reflection allowed assessment of the energetics of the ZTC formation. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the phenomena involved on the atomic scale in ZTC synthesis.