Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a highly specific nuclear transcription factor produced by cells in hypoxic environment, which plays an important role in the bone formation and bone regeneration. Vascular calcification is a complex biological process similar to bone formation and actively regulated. It is a major risk factor for increased cardiovascular mortality, but its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Recent studies have shown that HIF-1α may be involved in vascular calcification through the mechanism such as osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), glycometabolism pathway, inflammation and Notch signaling pathway. This paper reviews the relationship between HIF-1α and vascular calcification.