The elaterid subfamily Cardiophorinae, with over 1000 species, is one of the largest and most easily recognized elaterid subfamilies. Preliminary phylogenetic analysis indicates that Cardiophorinae renders subfamilies Negastriinae and part of a polyphyletic Dendrometrinae paraphyeletic. Phylogenetic analysis using morphology of 27 extant cardiophorine genera, with additional Negastriinae and Hypnoidini indicates that major changes should be made to the membership and genus and tribal level classifications of Cardiophorinae.