The amorphous Ni-P and Ni-Yb-P coatings were prepared by means of electroless plating. The influence of different content of Yb on the hardness and wear resistance were researched. It shows that the hardness of Ni-Yb-P coating is increased with the increasing of Yb content, and the coating has the optimum wear resistance when the addition content of YbN3O9 ·5H2O is 200mg/L. The wear test shows that adhesion wear and microploughing wear both affect the process of plated Ni-P coating so that the wear resistance is worse. With the increase of Yb addition content, the wear resistance of coatings is improved, however, more Yb additon content can decline coatings’ wear resistance.