Recent advances in laser ablation carbonate U–Pb geochronology have opened up the possibilities for providing timing constraints on a range of previously “undateable” geological materials and processes. This special issue focuses on recent methodological developments in carbonate geochronology and aims to summarise the status quo in this rapidly developing field. The special issue will cover subjects through the entire workflow, including: sample selection and preparation, imaging techniques, instrumentation and protocols, carbonate reference materials, data reduction and corrections, and age interpretation. The special issue will aim at providing the best practice to date and will discuss future opportunities and challenges in this new field.