It is a colourless, viscous liquid that is used as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals.

[3] Together with many other compounds, m-cresol is traditionally extracted from coal tar, the volatile materials obtained in the production of coke from (bituminous) coal.

This residue contains a few percent by weight of phenol and isomeric cresols.

Important applications include: m-Cresol is a component found in temporal glands secretions during musth in male African elephants (Loxodonta africana).

[8] m-Cresol is a component found in secretions from the ant Colobopsis saundersi during Autothysis.