Effects of rf power, pressure, sputtering gas composition, and substrate temperature on the deposition rate of the $WC_x$ coatings were investigated. The effects of rf power and sputtering gas composition on the hardness and corrosion resistance of the $WC_x$ coatings deposited by reactive sputtering were also investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) analyses were performed to determine the structures and compositions of the films, respectively. The hardnesses of the films were investigated using a nanoindenter, scanning electron microscopy, ana a salt-spray test, respectively. The deposition rate of the films was proportional to rf power and inversely proportional to the $CH_4$ content of $Ar/CH_4$ sputtering gas. The deposition rate linearly increased with increasing chamber pressure. The hardness of the $WC_x$ coatings Increased as rf power increased. The highest hardness was obtained at a $Ar/CH_4$ concentration of $10 vol.\%$ in the sputtering gas. The hardness of the $WC_x$ film deposited under optimal conditions was found to be much higher than that of the electroplated chromium film, although the corrosion resistance of the former was slightly lower than that of the latter.