Abstract: Lithium metal is an ideal anode material for high-energy-density Li metal batteries. However, the growth of lithium dendrites severely hinder the practical applications of the high-energy-density lithium metal anodes. This review introduces the growth models (such as solid electrolyte membrane protection growth model, charge induced growth model, and the thin film growth model), the influence factors (including temperature, current density, electrode overpotential, solid-state electrolyte film, and deposited substrate), and the advanced characterization technique (in situ characterization) of lithium dendrites, and summarizes the recent research progress about the inhibition of lithium dendrite growth (including the modification of the deposited substrate and solid electrolyte membrane, the usage of nanostructured electrolyte and the solid electrolyte). Finally, we give the prospect of commercial applications about lithium metal batteries.