To improve the use efficiency of fertilizer N while alleviate its pollution is one of the keys in ensuring the high yield and good quality of agricultural products and the sustainable development of agriculture and environment, for which, applying nitrification inhibitors to retard the course of soil nitrification is an efficient measure. In this review, the definition, screening criteria, major varieties being widely used, and action mechanisms of nitrification inhibitors were introduced, and the existing problems and prospects in related researches were discussed.