Continuous furnaces are widely used in the heat treatment of mass-produced parts. However, the heating up process of parts in continuous furnace is still decided by experience. In this paper the heat transfer in the continuous furnace is formulated firstly. The heat balance in each zone is discussed and equations are given. Coupled with the model for heat transfer between workpieces and furnace and the heat transfer in the workload as well presented in the former developed CHT-bf for batch furnaces, a program CHT-cf for continuous furnaces was developed. The model deals with two typical movements of parts: continuous or step by step. The moving speed of parts and load pattern can be optimized based on the calculated temperature distributions and curves, especially, the fastest heated and slowest-heated temperature-distance profiles. A case study is carried out for the heat treatment of a kind of hook-shaped part. The calculated results are analyzed and in good agreement with the measured ones.