Abstract: Ginger extract (GE) was prepared by ethanol reflux extraction method. The inhibition effect and mechanism of GE on Q235 carbon steel in 1 mol/L HCl solution were studied. The results show that the corrosion inhibition performance of GE on Q235 steel increases with the increase of its concentration. After the mass concentration of GE reaches 0.20 g/L at 40 ℃, the corrosion inhibition rate tends to be stable, up to more than 93%. The adsorption of GE on the steel sheet conforms to Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation, and it is a mixed corrosion inhibitor, which mainly inhibits the cathode reaction. After adding GE, the charge transfer resistance of steel/acid interface increases, the corrosion reaction rate slows down, and has a strong inhibition effect on the corrosion of carbon steel.