First‐principles calculations were performed to investigate the structural, elastic, and electronic properties of W and its nitrides. The results show that the bulk modulus decreases with the increase in the nitrogen content for the tungsten nitrides. A comparison of the calculated ratio of the shear modulus to the bulk modulus for W, WN, WN2, and WN3 suggests the more pronounced directional bonding between the ions in monoclinic WN2. The lowest formation enthalpy and smallest states on the Fermi level indicate the most stability of WN2 among the three tungsten nitrides. The origin of the changes for the elastic moduli and density of states (DOSs) on the Fermi level are discussed.