This paper gives a brief review of the state of the methods, techniques and achievements of laser Doppler anemometry. The basic principles of the construction of Doppler interferometers are considered, and the optimum conditions for obtaining a high-quality signal are presented. Its basic statistical characteristics and estimates of the potential accuracy of measurements with such limitations as nonuniformity of the interference field, shot noise, superposition noise, due to the random position of the scatterers and the velocity gradient in the sounding volume, are given. The possibilities of such modern methods of demodulating the Doppler signal as correlation of the photoreadouts and counting-pulse and tracking processors, are considered. Information on applications of laser Doppler anemometry methods in scientific and technical experiments is presented.