Abstract: Lignin is an amorphous, highly cross-linked polyphenol aromatic polymer with a wide range of sources and rich carbon content, and is suitable for the preparation of porous carbon materials. Using lignin to prepare porous carbon is an important way to solve the problem that lignin is difficult to be used efficiently. It can solve environmental pollution and realize resource utilization. This article mainly introduced the research status of the preparation of microporous activated carbon with lignin as carbon precursor by physical and chemical activation method and the preparation of mesoporous carbon materials by template method in recent years. The pore structure and morphology of porous carbon materials prepared by different methods were compared and analyzed, as well as their application progress in adsorption, catalysis and electrochemistry.