Abstract This research focuses on parametric influence on product distribution and syngas production from conventional gasification. Three experimental parameters at three different levels of temperature (700, 800 and 900 °C), sugarcane bagasse loading (2, 3 and 4 g) and residence time (10, 20 and 30 min) were studied using horizontal axis tubular furnace. Response Surface Methodology supported by central composite design was adopted in order to investigate parameters impact on product distribution (i.e., gas, tar and char) and gaseous products (i.e., H2, CO, CO2 and CH4). The highest H2 fraction obtained was 42.88 mol% (36.91 g-H2 kg-biomass−1) at 3 g of sugarcane bagasse loading, 900 °C and 30 min reaction time. The temperature was identified as the most influential parameter followed by reaction time for H2 production and diminishing the bio-tar and char yields. An increase in sugarcane bagasse loading, on other hand, favored the production of bio-tar, CO2 and CH4 production. The statistical analysis verified temperature as most significant (p-value 0.0008) amongst the parameters investigated for sugarcane bagasse biomass gasification.