Vascular calcification refers to the deposition of hydroxyapatite in the vascular wall, which is involved and regulated by multiple factors, similar to the active biological process of bone and cartilage formation. Endoplasmic reticulum stress is an adaptive regulatory response in the the organism. Appropriate endoplasmic reticulum stress helps maintain endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, but excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress will promote the initiation and progression of vascular calcification. This paper reviews the potential role and molecular mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress, especially unfolded protein response, in vascular calcification, hoping to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of vascular calcification.