The effect of CdS content on the photo-induced improvement of hydrogen evolution reaction activity of the Pt/CdS electrocatalyst was investigated. Although the electrons transferred from CdS to Pt in the Pt/CdS electrocatalyst increased with the CdS content under illumination, the electrochemical active surface area of the Pt/CdS electrocatalyst decreased with the CdS content, resulting that the photo-induced improvement of hydrogen evolution reaction activity of the Pt/CdS electrocatalyst decreased with the CdS content.