Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is an important signaling molecule with potent cytoprotective actions. Current results strongly suggest that modulation of H 2 S levels could have potential therapeutic values for a number of disease states, but its exact mechanisms of action are still unclear. A number of fundamental issues must be addressed to advance our understanding of the biology and clinical potential of H 2 S in the future. It is important, therefore, to understand the chemistry and properties of H 2 S and to appreciate the limitation and errors that may be generated when measuring H 2 S in biological samples. In the past several years a number of fluorescent probes for H 2 S detection have been developed. These probes are based on H 2 S-mediated reactions and are useful research tools. Herein, we provide an overview of current progress in this field. The development and properties of representative probes are discussed. Scheme 2. The structure and fluorescence turn-on mechanism of DNS-Az. Scheme 3. Strutures of R-Az, C-7Az, and Mas probe. Scheme 4. Structures of Cy-N 3 , FS1, and SHS-M2. Scheme 5. Structures of CLSS-2 and cpGFP-Tyr66pAzF. Scheme 6. Structure of SS1, P1, Eu·2, and P2. Scheme 7. Structures of nitro-based probes.