Anti-lipogenic effects of tannic acid on 3T3-L1 adipocytes as well as on rats fed high fat diet (HFD) were investigated. Tannic acid stimulated lipolysis through suppression of the leptin secretion and an increase of glycerol release in a dose dependent manner in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. For animal study, the rats were fed either HFD or HFD supplemented with 1%(w/w) tannic acid (HFDT) for 12 weeks, respectively. Body weight gain, liver weight, and visceral fat mass in rats fed HFDT were significantly decreased compared to those of rats fed HFD. The lipid profiles of HFDT group were significantly decreased compared with HFD group in the serum and liver, whereas fecal total cholesterol excretion was increased in HFDT group. These results suggest that anti-lipogenic effect of tannic acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in rats fed HFD may be due to the stimulation of lipolysis and the reduction of lipid levels.