Abstract: Because of their fluorescence and photodimerization properties,as well as their high fluorescence quantum yields,high molar extinction coefficient,easy chemical modification and good photostability,coumarin derivatives are very useful in many fields such as fluorescent materials and laser dyes,photo-refractive materials,nonlinear optical materials,light harvesting materials,alignment layers for liquid crystals,ect. Liquid crystals containing coumarin unit have been designed,the obtained coumarin-based liquid crystals have not only self assembled properties but also excellent electrooptical properties.In this paper the progress on coumarin-based liquid crystals have been reviewed,including the structure characteristics,liquid crystalline properties and potential applications.