Aims To assess whether diabetes increases the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and to estimate the magnitude of the association with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Methods We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and ResearchGate for articles published between 1950 and January 2015. A total of 36 studies (eight cross‐sectional, 21 case–control and seven cohort studies) qualified for meta‐analysis. We used a random‐effects meta‐analysis and assessed heterogeneity and publication bias. Results The pooled odds ratio of 25 studies (including a total of 92 564 individuals) that reported unadjusted estimates for the association between diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel release was 1.97 (95% CI 1.56–2.49). The pooled odds ratio of 18 case–control or cohort studies consisting of >37 million individuals that reported estimates after controlling for potential confounders was 1.69 (95% CI 1.45–1.96). The association did not differ for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, there was no publication bias. Conclusion This meta‐analysis suggests that both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome.