Self-cleaning　coatings　have　attracted　more　and　more　interest　due　to　practical　applications　in　the　building　of　glass,　solar　cells　modules,　eye　glasses　and　so　on.　However,　the　transmission　may　decrease　due　to　more　interfaces　inserted　between　air　and　glass.　Developing　a　self-coating　with　high　transmission　is　in　demand.　In　this　chapter,　we　have　summarized　the　basic　principles　of　a　self-cleaning　and　anti-reflection　thin　film　coating.　The　fabrication　route　of　a　self-cleaning　coating　with　anti-reflection　properties　can　be　divided　into　two　types:　a　bottom-up　route　and　a　top-down　method.　The　bottom-up　route　consists　of　growing　the　nanostructure　on　a　glass　substrate.　The　top-down　method　is　fabricating　nanostructures　on　the　substrate　using　physical　or　chemical　etching.　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry　2017.