The efficiency of direct solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was determined for 27 selected volatile and semivolatile organic compounds (BTEX, chloro- and bromobenzenes, chlorinated pesticides and PCBs). The fibres used were 7μm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), 30μm PDMS, 100μm PDMS, 65μm PDMS-divinylbenzene, 85μm polyacrylate, 65μm Carbowax-divinylbenzene, 75μm Carboxen-PDMS and a new 65μm C8 fibre. Extraction yields for these compounds were calculated under standardised conditions: 75μm Carboxen-PDMS was found to be the most efficient fibre for compounds with low boiling points. Although 65μm C8 can be used for extraction of all compounds studied, in no one case is it the most effective coating. 100μm PDMS and the more polar coatings can be used for a broad range of compounds, whereas application of 7μm and 30μm PDMS cannot be recommended. Inter-fibre comparison revealed significant differences between three different Carboxen-PDMS fibres. The results enable suitable coatings to be chosen for each of the 27 compounds and for substances with similar properties.