<p>This study investigated the gas-based direct reduction behavior of Hongge vanadium titanomagnetite pellets (HVTMP) with the addition of B₂O₃ in a shaft furnace atmosphere. The results indicated that the degree of reduction of HVTMP decreased as the addition of B₂O₃ increased. This decrease in the degree of reduction was attributed to the decreased original porosity of HVTMP resulting from B₂O₃ addition. As the addition of B₂O₃ increased, the intensities of the diffraction peaks corresponding to metallic iron significantly diminished, while diffraction peaks indicative of Fe₂TiO₄ emerged. The addition of B₂O₃ also resulted in the formation of more gangue phases, leading to the agglomeration of metallic iron grains from smaller particles into larger masses. Moreover, B₂O₃ decreased the reduction swelling and increased the compressive strength of the reduced HVTMP. This effect was associated with a decrease in both the size and number of metallic iron whiskers, contributing to the formation of a denser morphology. Furthermore, the relationship between reduction swelling and compressive strength of the reduced HVTMP was examined.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>