Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) supported ruthenium prepared with an impregnation method was used as catalyst in glucose hydrogenation to sorbitol. The effects of ruthenium loading, reaction time, temperature and initial hydrogen pressure on glucose hydrogenation were investigated. Compared with Raney Ni and ruthenium supported on Al2O3, SiO2, Ru/MWNTs showed higher catalytic activity.