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Sodium-ion batteries are considered a top alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale renewable energy storage units due to their low cost and the abundance of sodium-bearing precursors in the earth's mineral deposits. However, the absence of a suitable negative electrode material hinders their development. In this contribution, we report the preparation of nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped carbon microspheres through a hydrothermal process followed by heat treatment in presence of (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 and investigate their electrochemical performance as anode in sodium-ion batteries. Benefiting from the N, P co-doping, the obtained N, P co-doped carbon microspheres demonstrates high specific capacity, excellent cycle stability as well as good rate performance. The as prepared N, P co-doped carbon microspheres can deliver a reversible capacity of 305 mAh g −1 at a current density of 0.1 A g −1 and even deliver a capacity of 136 mAh g −1 at 5 A g −1 . This superior sodium storage performance of N, P co-doped carbon makes it as a promising low-cost anode candidate for sodium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]