An activated carbon having the highest peak D within the range of 1.0 nm to 1.5 nm, in which the peak D is from 0.012 to 0.050 cm3/g and is from 2% to 32% to a total pore volume, in pore size distribution as calculated by BJH method from N2-adsorption isotherm at 77.4 K. An electric double layer capacitor comprising the polarizable electrode which comprises the activated carbon, carbon fiber, carbon black, and binder.