The structure and function of solid catalysts are inseparably linked at length scales from nm to cm and beyond. Hard X-ray tomography offers unique potential for spatially-resolved characterization by combining flexible spatial resolution with a range of chemical contrasts. However, the full capabilities of hard X-ray tomography have not been widely explored in the catalysis community. This review highlights modern advances in hard X-ray tomography using synchrotron radiation. Case studies from model to technical scale illustrate the bright future of X-ray tomography in catalysis research.