The paper considers the process of pyrolysis of polymers-precursors, and also shows the influence of various parameters of technological processes for obtaining ceramics on its composition, structure, and properties. The main types of binary, ternary and multicomponent silicon-based ceramics, methods of its preparation, features of structure and properties are considered, and promising directions of application of ceramics are determined. The possibility of obtaining porous ceramic materials (ceramic foams) with controlled porosity and ceramic composite materials with a given composition is noted.