A possible growth mechanism for template-based electrodeposition metal nanotubes was presented. We proposed that the formation of nanotube was a result of kinetics controlling the deposition process, and was related to the crystal structure. According to the mechanism, various nanotubes, such as Zn, Co, Cu, Ni, ZnNi, and CoNi, were fabricated with aluminum oxide templates using a DC electrodeposition method. The deposit morphology dependence of potential was discussed. We further elaborated the feasibility of the mechanism from crystal growth perspective as well as kinetics and thermodynamics perspectives. This work will benefit further understanding the growth process of electrodeposited nanotubes, and provide important experimental data for crystal growth theory. (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.049302jes] All rights reserved.