Ce-promoted Fe-Cu catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method. The catalysts were characterized by N-2 physisorption, XRD, CO-TPD, H-2-TPD, XPS and MES. The results show that the addition of cerium leads to a higher specific area of catalysts but against the adsorption of H-2. Moreover, the CO adsorption and carbonization of the catalyst is enhanced with a proper addition of cerium, which is conducive to the formation of iron carbides. The reaction performance experiments indicate that the catalyst with 2mol% Ce content is with the highest FTS activity of 97.2% CO conversion and light olefins selectivity of 17.2%. [GRAPHICS] .