The hydrogen storage capacity of M-decorated (M = Fe, Co, Ni) B-38 fullerene is investigated using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. The Fe, Co, Ni atoms are strongly bound on hexagonal holes of B-38 fullerene without clustering. Fe4B38 (Co4B38 and Ni4B38) adsorbs 24H(2) with moderate average adsorption energy of 0.175 (0.184 and 0.202) eV/H-2. Based on density functional theory, the gravimetric density of Fe4B38 (Co4B38 and Ni4B38) could potentially reach 7.34 (7.21 and 7.22) wt%, respectively. Therefore, we infer that M-decorated (M = Fe, Co, Ni) B-38 fullerene could be a candidate for further investigation as an alternative material for hydrogen storage. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.