The carbon supported Pd (Pd/C) catalyst was prepared with complex reduction method by sodium borohydride and ethylene glycol, respectively. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum characterizations indicate that Pd nanoparticles of the Pd/C catalyst prepared by ethylene glycol have a smaller particle size, uniform particle size distribution and higher relative crystalinity. The average size and relative crystalinity of the Pd nanoparticles are as small as 4.2±2 nm and 1.88, respectively. The electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the electrocatalytic activity and stability of the Pd/C catalyst prepared by ethylene glycol for formic acid oxidation are better than that of the Pd/C catalyst prepared by sodium borohydride.