Objective To understand role of chemokines and their receptors in pathogenesis, progression, and metastasis of gastric cancer, and to provide a better approach for diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. Method The literatures about the relationship between chemokines and their receptors and gastric cancer were reviewed. Results There were about 50 various chemokines and their receptors abnormally expressed in the tumor microenvironment. The main types related gastric cancer were the CXC, CC and CX3C chemokines and their receptors, which could promote the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of the gastric cancer through several pathways like mTOR pathway, JAK2-STAT3 pathway, etc.. Conclusions Chemokines and their receptors play an important role in occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Further studies on chemokines and their receptors will not only assist in early diagnosis of gastric cancer, as well as estimation of clinical prognosis, but also provide an intervention target for gastric cancer.