氯化镉是一种无色单斜晶系晶体。分子式为CdCl₂，极易溶于水，微溶于甲醇、乙醇，难溶于丙酮、乙醚。

氯化镉一般可以用氯化氢和镉在450℃反应制成：

也可以通过乙酸镉的冰乙酸溶液和乙酰氯反应得到，产生的白色沉淀即为产物：

Cadmium chloride is a white crystalline compound of cadmium and chlorine, with the formula CdCl₂. It is a hygroscopic solid that is highly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. Although it is considered to be ionic, it has considerable covalent character to its bonding. The crystal structure of cadmium chloride (described below), composed of two-dimensional layers of ions, is a reference for describing other crystal structures. Also known are CdCl₂.H₂O and CdCl₂5H₂O.