Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, and its high mortality rate is closely associated with the unsatisfactory diagnostic and monitoring methods for HCC at present. Some microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the development and progression of HCC, and their abnormal expression is a common phenomenon in HCC pathology; in addition, miRNAs can be released into the circulating blood and remain stable in blood. By reviewing the research advances in the role of miRNAs in HCC, it is pointed out that miRNAs are expected to become potential markers for the early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment, and prognostic evaluation of HCC, and this article also analyzes related issues in the clinical verification of such potential markers.