Abstract: In this paper, the development of the study on the catalysts for direct dehydrogenation of methanol to formaldehyde was described. Three classes of the catalysts: metals and metal-oxides, alkali salt, and molecular sieve based catalysts were introduced. The influences of different catalysts on the conversion of methanol and the selectivity to formaldehyde were discussed. The different characteristics of the catalysts and their potential application were analyzed from catalytic activity, lifetime and economical efficiency.