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Here we develop a magnetoelastic (ME) nano-biosensor based on the competitive strategy for the detection of a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Specifically, the gold-coated ME material provided a platform and the thiolated single-stranded DNA (HS-DNA) containing a half-complementary sequence towards the CEA aptamer was modified on the surface via Au-S bonding. DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) containing another half-complementary sequence towards the aptamer were used to amplify the signals by about 2.1 times, compared to those obtained using just the aptamer. CEA aptamers as a bio-recognition element were employed to link HS-DNA and DNA-AgNCs through DNA hybridization. The CEA aptamer preferentially combined with CEA rather than hybridized with DNA. Due to the magnetostrictive nature of the ME materials, the resonant frequency of the nano-biosensor would increase along with the release of DNA-AgNCs and CEA aptamers. The modification process was demonstrated by UV–vis spectra, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM). The nano-biosensor has a linear response to the logarithmic CEA concentrations ranging from 2 pg ml−1 to 6.25 ng ml−1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 pg ml−1 and a sensitivity of 105.05 Hz/ng · ml−1. This study provides a low-cost, highly sensitive and wireless method for selective detection of CEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]