The XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms were likely to be involved with the development of colorectal cancer. However, there had been inconsistent reports of association. This meta-analysis of literatures was performed to draw a more precise estimation of the relationship. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for relevant articles with a time limit of December 2012. The strength of association between the XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms and colorectal cancer susceptibility were assessed by odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI). This meta-analysis including six case-control studies evaluated the associations between the two XPC polymorphisms (Lys939Gln, Ala499Val) and colorectal cancer susceptibility. For XPC Lys939Gln, no obvious associations were found for all genetic models [CC vs AA: OR (95 % CI) = 1.12 (0.94-1.32); CA vs AA: OR (95 % CI) = 1.08 (0.94-1.24); the dominant model: OR (95 % CI) = 1.09 (0.97-1.23); the recessive model: OR (95 % CI) = 1.07 (0.92-1.25)]. For XPC Ala499Val, no obvious associations were also not found for all genetic models [TT vs CC: OR (95 % CI) = 0.84 (0.65-1.10); CT vs CC: OR (95 % CI) = 1.00 (0.86-1.15); the dominant model: OR (95 % CI) = 0.98 (0.85-1.12); the recessive model: OR (95 % CI) = 0.87 (0.67-1.12)]. This meta-analysis suggested that both the XPC Lys939Gln and Ala499Val polymorphisms were not risk factors for increasing colorectal cancer.