Hierarchical coral-like ZnCo2O4 nanowires were synthesized by facile hydrothermal method. The ZnCo2O4 nanowires exhibited a large electrochemically active surface area of 29.36 m2 g− 1. Coral-like ZnCo2O4 nanowires delivered a specific capacitance of 694 F g− 1 at a current density of 2 A g− 1. Coral-like ZnCo2O4 nanowires showed ∼ 85% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g− 1.