A carbon supported Pd(Pd/C) catalyst used as the anodic catalyst in the direct formic acid fuel cells(DFAFC) was prepared via the improved complex reduction method with sodium ethylenediamine tetracetate(EDTA) as stabilizer and complexing agent. This method is very simple. The average size of the Pd particles in the Pd/C catalyst prepared with the improved complex reduction method is as small as about 2.1 nm and the Pd particles in the Pd/C catalyst possess an excellent uniformity. The Pd/C catalyst shows a high electrocatalytic activity and stability for the formic acid oxidation.