Hot deformation behavior of high nitrogen martensitic stainless steel 30Cr15Mo1N is investigated by isothermal compression tests at the temperature range of 900-1250 8C and the strain rate range of 0.01-10 s À1 . The results indicate that the activation energy of this alloy (503.5 kJ mol À1 ) is higher than that of conventional martensitic stainless steels. The developed Arrhenius-type constitutive equation considering strain compensation can predict flow stress of 30Cr15Mo1N with good consistency. The critical conditions for initiation of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) are determined based on the strain hardening rate versus flow stress curves. The DRX is inhibited and grain size decrease with increasing strain rate from 0.01 to 1 s À1 . However, the fraction of DRX increased and grain size coarsened when strain rate is further increased to 10 s À1 . Cr-rich M 23 C 6 and M 2 N precipitated at grain boundaries at lower temperatures, which can effectively pin grain boundaries and, thereby retard or even inhibit the process of DRX. In addition, dislocations tangled and piled up around precipitates, thereby hindering dislocation movement. The influence of precipitates on DRX can be eliminated due to their dissolution at higher temperatures.