Abstract: Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is the best way and development direction for the conversion of syngas into clean liquid fuels and high value-added chemicals. Iron-based catalysts are widely used in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions. Studies have shown that iron carbide is the active phase of iron-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts. In recent years, the preparation of iron carbide for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis directly has become a hot research topic of iron-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts. In this paper, the phase types of iron carbide are summarized, the preparation methods of iron carbide (mainly including wet chemical synthesis, heat treatment carburizing, iron-based organic framework material pyrolysis, sol-gel method) and its application in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are reviewed, and the application prospect and research direction of iron carbide in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are prospected.