NiWP alloy coatings were prepared by electrodeposition, and the effects of ferrous chloride (FeCl$_2$), sodium tungstate (Na$_2$WO$_4$) and current density ($D_K$) on the properties of the coatings were studied. The results show that upon increasing the concentration of FeCl$_2$, initially the Fe content of the coating increased and then tended to be stable; the deposition rate and microhardness of coating decreased when the cathodic current efficiency ($\eta$) initially increased and then decreased; and for a FeCl$_2$ concentration of 3.6 gl$^{−1}, the cathodic current efficiency reached its maximum of 74.23%. Upon increasing the concentration of Na$_2$WO$_4$, the W content and microhardness of the coatings increased; the deposition rate andthe cathode current efficiency initially increased and then decreased. The cathodic current efficiency reached the maximum value of 70.33% with a Na$_2$WO$_4$ concentration of 50 gl$^{−1}$, whereas the deposition rate is maximum at 8.67 $\mu$mh$^{−1}$ with a Na$_2$WO$_4$ concentration of 40 gl$^{−1}$. Upon increasing the $D_K$, the deposition rate, microhardness, Fe and W content of the coatings increased, the cathodic current efficiency increases first increased and then decreased. When $D_K$ was 4 A dm$^{−2}$,the current efficiency reached the maximum of 73.64%.