The reaction of dehydration of glucose and fructose was studied over solid acid catalysts (zirconium hydrogen phosphates, and sulfonated and carboxylated activated carbons) in water at 125, 135 and 145°C. Zirconium hydrogen phosphate enhanced their activity and selectivity toward 5-HMF from glucose or fructose after being calcined at 700°C (ZrPO-700).The activation energy of the first step of the dehydration of fructose (formation of an intermediary) was higher than the one of the second step (formation of 5-HMF from intermediary), 209 and 25kJ/mol, respectively. Additionally, the activation energy of glucose isomerization to fructose was 97kJ/mol. Overall; the formation of intermediary between fructose and 5-HMF was the limiting step in the formation of 5-HMF from glucose or fructose.Fitting simulations of experimental data estimated maximum yield and selectivity toward 5-HMF from glucose using ZrPO-700 at 125, 135 and 145°C. These predictions help investigators to estimate conversions and selectivity when pilot plants need to be simulated.