In recent years, the carbon-based fibers (CBFs) including carbon fibers, carbon nanotube fibers and graphene fibers have received extensive attention due to excellent thermal, electrical and mechanical properties. Here, the current status of CBFs is reviewed from the following aspects: sprecursors, preparation, performance and application. The precursor systems including acrylonitrile copolymers, pitch, cellulose and lignin, carbon nanotube, graphene and other rare synthetic polymeric precursors. The relationship of preparation method and performance of CBFs is presented. In addition, this review gives the overview of application and future development of CBFs.