Steam gasification is considered one of the most effective and efficient techniques of generating hydrogen from biomass. Of all the thermochemical processes, steam gasification offers the highest stoichiometric yield of hydrogen. There are several factors which influence the yield of hydrogen in steam gasification. Some of the prominent factors are: biomass type, biomass feed particle size, reaction temperature, steam to biomass ratio, addition of catalyst, sorbent to biomass ratio. This review article focuses on the hydrogen production from biomass via steam gasification and the influence of process parameters on hydrogen yield. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.