Abstract: Hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel, is supposed to be the potential alternative for fossil energy. Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a green technology that could split water molecules to produce hydrogen. Therefore, exploring the low-cost, efficient and long-stable noble metal-free catalysts is particularly important for solving the problems of energy crisis and sustainable development. Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) possess excellent electrical conductivity, variable chemical composition, abundant reserves and stable physicochemical properties, which is one of the critical catalysts in HER. Herein, the HER mechanism and the structural characteristics of TMPs are introduced at first, then the fabrication approaches of TMPs like liquid phase formation, gas-solid synthesis, etc. are summarized. This paper are mainly focusing on the recent modification strategies for TMPs-based nanostructures, such as morphology regulation, vacancy creation, elemental doping and interface engineering. Finally, the future directions for the development of TMPs is proposed.