This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the various methods employed to synthesize carbon dots (CDs), a novel class of fluorescent materials with extensive applications in biomedicine and optoelectronics. It discusses top-down and bottom-up strategies, highlighting their benefits regarding raw material availability, scalability, and procedural simplicity. Additionally, the chapter emphasizes the unique photoluminescent characteristics of CDs, particularly their tunable emission and quantum confinement effects. Applications in cell imaging, photodynamic therapy, drug delivery, and optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are explored. Factors influencing the properties of carbon dots, including precursor choice, reaction conditions, doping, and post-synthesis treatments, are summarized. The chapter concludes by presenting an outlook on future developments in carbon dot synthesis and their potential advancements in biomedical imaging, sensors, and other emerging technologies.