Due to the emissions from intensive human activities and rapid development of industry and agriculture, atmospheric nitrate (NO {}_3^{-} ) contamination is becoming more serious and now is a worldwide environmental problem. The isotopic compositions of NO {}_3^{-} (δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O and Δ¹⁷O) can deliver more information than the concentration alone, i.e., the nitrogen and oxygen isotopes can suggest the sources of NO {}_3^{-} and oxidation capability of the atmosphere, providing a powerful tool for investigating atmospheric nitrogen cycling and atmospheric NO {}_3^{-} pollution control. The δ¹⁵N of different sourced NO {}_3^{-} in the atmosphere, as well as the seasonal variation of δ¹⁵N (NO {}_3^{-} ) and the associated mechanisms were reviewed. In addition, the oxygen isotopes of various oxidants and NO {}_3^{-} (δ¹⁸O and Δ¹⁷O) in the atmosphere were summarized, and the global distribution patterns of the oxygen isotopes of NO {}_3^{-} were discussed. Lastly, the available analysis techniques of isotopic compositions of NO {}_3^{-} were reviewed. Based on the research progress of NO {}_3^{-} isotopes in the atmosphere, it was suggested that further investigations should focus on measuring the isotopic compositions of oxidants and NOx from different sources, characterizing the production mechanisms of NO {}_3^{-} , as well as investigating chemical recycling between NOx and NO {}_3^{-} with the aid of atmospheric chemical models.