Aim: To identify and summarise existing knowledge about patient ethnicity and use of restrictive practices in adult mental health inpatient settings. Methodology: A scoping review was conducted using the methodological framework recommended by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), Levac and colleagues (2010) and the JBI (2020). Findings (selected): Altogether 38 studies, mostly European, were included. Ethnicity was mostly divided by migrant/national status in primary studies but not comparable across reviews. Categorising the reported restrictive practices, seclusion was widely reported across studies, followed by multiple concurrent restrictive practices. Significance for practice: Mental health practice needs to focus on patient ethnicity as evidence suggests that some ethnic minorities were more likely to experience restrictive practice than others. Relevance for theme: This review summarises knowledge about ethnicity and use of restrictive practices.