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Hydrosulfuric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S). At physiological pH, approximately 80% of the total amount of H 2 S exists in the form of monoanionic HS−. Because HS− is both widely distributed and highly toxic to humans, it is necessary to design an efficient method to detect HS− with high sensitivity and selectivity. So, the nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) with green fluorescence are synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal method. The as-prepared NCDs show it can be effectively used as an indicator for monitoring HS−. And the NCD fluorescence intensity exhibits a linear relationship with HS− concentration. In addition, NCDs as a probe can be applied for fluorescence imaging in living cells to detect the presence of trace exogenous HS−. [Display omitted] • NCDs with green fluorescent were synthesized hydrothermally using one step hydrothermal method. • NCDs exhibit good sensitivity and selectivity for HS−. • The detection concentration range of NCDs-based probe was 0–55 μM with a detection limit of 48.87 nM. • Low toxicity of NCDs can successfully detect intracellular HS−. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]