Based on the technology theories of molecular chemical engineering and nanomaterials science, the development and application of coal-based functional carbon materials are of great significance to realize the clean utilization of coal resources, as well as the upgrading of high-value-added coal industries. Coal is the natural materials consisting of aromatic and hydrogenated aromatic groups with a three-dimensional (3D) cross-linked network structure. The unique molecular properties of coal (coal derivatives) provide great potential for the synthesis of a variety of coal-based functional carbon materials. Much progress has been made in coal-based functional carbon materials in the last two decades, which needs to be clarify the current status and development direction of functional carbon materials prepared from coal and its derivatives. The controlled preparation of zero-dimensional to three-dimensional coal-based functional carbon materials has been achieved by using molecular shear, chemical vapor deposition, arc discharge, electrostatic spinning, and other technical means, and the current research status of coal-based graphene carbon quantum dots, carbon spheres, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, coal-based graphene and coal-based porous carbon has been systematically sorted out. The advantages and shortcomings of multi-dimensional coal-based functional carbon materials in the fields of energy storage, catalysis, and interfacial separation were summarized. It analyzed and discussed the problems faced by coal-based functional carbon materials such as low controllability, complex molecular structure and the difficulty of synthesis means for large-scale application. This review will provide some reference and insight into the design, preparation, and application of novel coal-based functional carbon materials.