A literature review of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is presented. Emphasis is placed on the papers that analyse the impedance response of the cathode and anode half-cells of the PEMFCs based on a continuum-mechanics approach. The other type of analysis, which is based on the equivalent-circuits approach, is addressed for comparison. The relative advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches are discussed. Papers dealing with continuum-mechanics-based EIS modelling of general electrochemical systems are briefly reviewed. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.