Carbon nitride (CN( x )) and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings were prepared by dc magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Different partial pressures of N(2) were used to synthesize CN( x ) to evaluate the relationship between the atomic percentage of nitrogen and hemocompatibility. Auger electron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy indicated atomic percentages of N of 0.12 and 0.22 and that the CN( x ) coatings were smooth. An in vitro study of the hemocompatibility of the coatings revealed that both CN( x ) coatings had better anticoagulant properties and lower platelet adhesion than DLC. Compared with CN(0.12), the CN(0.22) coating showed longer dynamic clotting time (about 42 min), static clotting time (23.6 min) and recalcification time (45.6 s), as well as lower platelet adhesion (102 cells μm(-2)), aggregation, and activation. The presence of nitrogen in the CN( x ) coatings induced their enhanced hemocompatibility compared with DLC.