We streamlined a way towards first experimental demonstration of synthesizing one-dimensional Co–Cu–Fe–Ni–Zn high-entropy alloy (HEA) nanowires (NWs) by an economical electrochemical technique in aqueous medium. HEA NWs have a face-centred cubic structure with nanocrystalline features, including twins along the nanowire of uniform length ∼50 µm and diameter 100 ± 20 nm. Control over the formation and uniform stoichiometry (required range for HEAs ∼ 5–35 atom %) throughout the HEA NWs and its nanocrystallinity was achieved using pulse electrodeposition. These Co–Cu–Fe–Ni–Zn nanowires are a new family of HEAs containing both magnetic and non-magnetic elements in addition to its new 1D morphology. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.