This work addresses the course of texture evolution during different routes of equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) of magnesium and the effect of ECAE texture on subsequent deformation. Commercially pure magnesium was deformed at 250°C through the routes A, B_C and C up to four passes. Texture evolution was found to follow a different course for different routes of ECAE. In general, the ECAE textures were asymmetric. An average grain size of 6–8μm could be achieved after four passes. The improved cold formability in the present investigation has been attributed to the initial non-basal texture and grain refinement introduced by ECAE. The textures introduced by ECAE may be beneficial for cold rolling characteristics of magnesium.