Lithium-oxygen batteries have received much research attention, and the issue of high overpotential of lithium-oxygen batteries is pivotal to be resolved. Developing efficient electrocatalysts is considered to be a feasible way. Here, we prepared Co and N co-doped carbon material from ZIF-8 via a two-step rout; in which Co is atomically dispersed into the ZIF-8-derived N-doped carbon matrix. This obtained single atom Co-N-C catalyst was applied as an efficient catalyst for the lithium-oxygen battery. The Co-N-C cathode lithium-oxygen battery can deliver a high platform of 2.7 V during discharge, and the charging platform is below 4 V. Co-N-doped carbon can improve the work function of the carbon material, effectively reduce overpotential of both oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, and thus improve the performance of the lithium-oxygen battery.