This review provides an overview of recent developments in the controlled synthesis of well-defined noble metal nanocrystals from the viewpoint of crystallographic control. Discussions are focused on the relationship between the shapes of noble metal nanocrystals and their internal and external crystal structures. Representative strategies for the crystallographic control of noble metal nanocrystals are introduced and discussed from the aspects of internal and external crystallographic control. Typical examples of the enhanced properties of noble metal nanocrystals by crystallographic control are highlighted. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.