• The recent progress of dimension design and morphology regulation of MOF-derived carbon-based MAMs has been summarized. • The effectiveness of dimension and morphology design has been demonstrated in tuning the EMW absorption performance of MAMs. • The fundamental dimension-morphology-function relationship is discussed based on the selected representative examples. • The facing challenges and future perspective of dimension and morphology engineering for MAMs are rationally proposed. Developing highly efficient microwave absorbing materials (MAMs) to ameliorate the electromagnetic (EM) response and facilitate energy absorption is crucial in both the civil and military industries. Metal-organic framework (MOF) derived nanoporous carbon composites have emerged as advanced MAMs owing to their rich porosity, tunable compositions, facile functionalization, and morphology diversity. Together with the flourishing development of composition-tuning strategy, the rational dimension design and elaborate control over the architectures have also evolved into an effective approach to regulating their EM properties. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the recent advances in using dimension and morphology modulation to adjust the microwave attenuation capacities for MOF-derived carbon composites. The underlying design rules and unique advantages for the MAMs of various dimensions were discussed with the selection of representative work, providing general concepts and insight on how to efficiently tune the morphologies. Accordingly, the fundamental dimension-morphology-function relationship was also elucidated. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of dimension design and morphology control over MOF-derived MAMs were also presented.