NiWP alloy coatings were prepared by electrodeposition, and the effects of ferrous chloride (FeCl 2), sodium tungstate (Na 2 WO 4) and current density (D K) on the properties of the coatings were studied. The results show that upon increasing the concentration of FeCl 2 , initially the Fe content of the coating increased and then tended to be stable; the deposition rate and microhardness of coating decreased when the cathodic current efficiency (η) initially increased and then decreased; and for a FeCl 2 concentration of 3.6 g l −1 , the cathodic current efficiency reached its maximum of 74.23%. Upon increasing the concentration of Na 2 WO 4 , the W content and microhardness of the coatings increased; the deposition rate and the cathode current efficiency initially increased and then decreased. The cathodic current efficiency reached the maximum value of 70.33% with a Na 2 WO 4 concentration of 50 g l −1 , whereas the deposition rate is maximum at 8.67 µm h −1 with a Na 2 WO 4 concentration of 40 g l −1. Upon increasing the D K , the deposition rate, microhardness, Fe and W content of the coatings increased, the cathodic current efficiency increases first increased and then decreased. When D K was 4 A dm −2 , the current efficiency reached the maximum of 73.64%.