Conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs), with electron-delocalized backbones and charged ionic side chains, are unique sensory materials for the construction of optical biosensors. In this feature article, CPE-based visual detection of heparin is summarized. Three CPE-based heparin probes, including ratiometric, light-up and colormetric probes, are discussed in terms of molecular design, detection selectivity and quantification capability. The work summarized here provides fundamental guidelines for CPE-based label-free visual sensing. conjugated polyelectrolyte, heparin, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, sensor