Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignant tumor and the third of cancer related death worldwide, which has become one of the most common serious threats to people’s lives and health in China. Understanding the molecular mechanism for the occurrence and development of HCC is very important for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) comprise a family of non-coding regulatory RNAs, and can regulate the expressions of 1/3 human genes. miRNAs participate in a series of important process, and play important roles in the pathogenesis of cancer. Here, the authors review the research progress about the expression, biological function and clinical applications of miRNAs in HCC.