In the paper, the nonlinear variable-coefficient fifth-order Schrodinger (NLVS) equation is researched. The NLVS equation is an integrable equation, which can be described the spreading of ultrashort pulses in an inhomogeneous optical fiber. Firstly, by using the modified traveling wave transformation, the NLVS equation is changed into an ordinary equation. Secondly, by the Jacobian elliptic function expansion method for the ordinary equation, we obtain the exact solutions for the ordinary equation, and then, we obtain the exact solutions to the NLVS equation. These solutions mainly include three types: Jacobi elliptic function solutions, hyperbolic function solutions, and triangular function solutions. Finally, according to the special parameters, we show the figures of the exact solutions.
