Nano-structure　metals　always　exhibite　better　mechanical　properties　compared　to　their　bulk　counterparts.　The　physical　and　chemical　properties　of　materials　are　directly　determined　by　their　atomic-scale　microstructure　evolution　mechanism.　Instigating　the　atomic-scale　deformation　mechanism　of　metallic　materials　and　providing　a　clear　physical　picture　of　their　microstructure　evolution　mechanism　at　sub-angstrom　scale　are　crucial　for　the　design　and　optimization　of　metallic　materials　with　high-performance.　The　recent　progress　in　scientific　research　on　the　deformation　mechanism　of　face-centered　cubic　(FCC)　nano-structure　metals　was　introduced.　First,　the　experimental　methods　for　studying　the　deformation　mechanism　of　nano-structure　metals　were　introduced.　Then,　the　size　effect　and　deformation　mechanism　of　nanocrystalline　and　nanocrystal　metals　were　summarized.　Finally,　the　difference　of　the　deformation　modes　between　nano-structure　metals　and　bulk　metal　materials　were　summarized　briefly,　and　the　challenges　and　research　directions　in　the　future　were　prospected.　©　2019,　Editorial　Department　of　Journal　of　Beijing　University　of　Technology.　All　right　reserved.