The presence of excessive nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients leads to eutrophication of water. Biochar has the advantages of large specific surface area, high porosity, high thermal stability, and abundant surface functional groups, and presents good performance in adsorption and removal of pollutants in water. In recent years, biochar has received much attention as an economical and efficient adsorbent for the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus in water, however, various biochar exhibits the different adsorption performance in recovering nitrogen or phosphorus in water. This paper reviewes the adsorption performance of biochar prepared and modified from various waste biomasses on nitrogen and phosphorus in water, discusses the factors affecting the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus in water by different types of biochar, ambient temperature, solution pH and coexisting ions, and summarizes the main mechanisms for the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus in water by biochar. In the meantime, the challenges faced in practical applications are pointed out, and further the future research directions of biochar are also prospected, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the practical use of biochar for the adsorption and recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus in water. © 2023 Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.