The chain length and hydrocarbon type significantly affect the production of light olefins during the catalytic pyrolysis of naphtha. Herein, for a better catalyst design and operation parameters optimization, the reaction pathways and equilibrium yields for the catalytic pyrolysis of C_5–8n/iso/cyclo-paraffins were analyzed thermodynamically. The results revealed that the thermodynamically favorable reaction pathways for n/iso-paraffins and cyclo-paraffins were the protolytic and hydrogen transfer cracking pathways, respectively. However, the formation of light paraffin severely limits the maximum selectivity toward light olefins. The dehydrogenation cracking pathway of n/iso-paraffins and the protolytic cracking pathway of cyclo-paraffins demonstrated significantly improved selectivity for light olefins. The results are thus useful as a direction for future catalyst improvements, facilitating superior reaction pathways to enhance light olefins. In addition, the equilibrium yield of light olefins increased with increasing the chain length, and the introduction of cyclo-paraffin inhibits the formation of light olefins. High temperatures and low pressures favor the formation of ethylene, and moderate temperatures and low pressures favor the formation of propylene. n-Hexane and cyclohexane mixtures gave maximum ethylene and propylene yield of approximately 49.90% and 55.77%, respectively. This work provides theoretical guidance for the development of superior catalysts and the selection of proper operation parameters for the catalytic pyrolysis of C_5–8n/iso/cyclo-paraffins from a thermodynamic point of view.