Abstract: The development and application of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) to the analysis of carbohydrates and their conjugates were reviewed. The MALDI TOF MS instrumentation, sample preparation, MALDI matrices and application of MALDI TOF MS to various carbohydrate structural types were discussed. The nitrogen lasers that emit at 337 nm (UV range) were almost universally employed for MALDI TOF MS analysis of carbohydrates and their conju gates. Some organ small molecular compounds were the commonly used MALDI matrices such as 2,5 DHB (dihydroxybenzoic acid), THAP (2,4,6 trihydroxyacetophenone), 1 HIQ (1 hydroxyisoquinoline), 2 hydroxy 5 methoxybenzoic acid and 4 HCCA ( α cyano 4 hydroxycinnamic acid) et al. The selection of MALDI matrices depended on the type of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates and glycoconjugates including neutral carbohydrates, acidic carbohydrates, sulfated carbohydrates, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, glycolipid could be analyzed by the application of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry with the appropriate matrices.