The three‐dimensional structure of stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1) was determined by NMR spectroscopy. SDF‐1 is a monomer with a disordered N‐terminal region (residues 1–8), and differs from other chemokines in the packing of the hydrophobic core and surface charge distribution. Results with analogs showed that the N‐terminal eight residues formed an important receptor binding site; however, only Lys‐1 and Pro‐2 were directly involved in receptor activation. Modification to Lys‐1 and/or Pro‐2 resulted in loss of activity, but generated potent SDF‐1 antagonists. Residues 12–17 of the loop region, which we term the RFFESH motif, unlike the N‐terminal region, were well defined in the SDF‐1 structure. The RFFESH formed a receptor binding site, which we propose to be an important initial docking site of SDF‐1 with its receptor. The ability of the SDF‐1 analogs to block HIV‐1 entry via CXCR4, which is a HIV‐1 coreceptor for the virus in addition to being the receptor for SDF‐1, correlated with their affinity for CXCR4. Activation of the receptor is not required for HIV‐1 inhibition.