Abstract: The short-circuit fault current suppression in the HVDC system is one of the key problems of DC system protection. Inductive DC fault current limiter (FCL) can constrain the rising speed of short-circuit current, making it a promising method to solve the problem of short-circuit fault current. Firstly, the fault current characteristic of DC system is analyzed, and the performance evaluation index of FCL is proposed. Secondly, the working principle, electrical characteristics and the latest research status of 3 inductive DC FCL types, including flux-coupling type, saturated-core type, and solid state type, are analyzed. Then, the inductance gain factor, dynamic response time, voltage/current capability and costs of different types of FCLs are summarized and compared, and their advantages and disadvantages and applicable DC voltage levels are given. Finally, according to the development trend of the DC power grid in the future, the key technical problems that need to be solved for all kinds of FCLs are given, such as the problem of the quench synchronization of superconducting materials, the excitation system performance of the saturated core FCL, the multi-function of the solid-state FCL, etc., which makes a prospect for the further research direction of the DC current limiter technology.