We describe the principles and applications of dipolar recoupling in solid-state NMR spectroscopy as a means to access information about molecular structure and transfer magnetization between spins. In this manner, dipolar recoupling forms an essential basis for multiple-dimensional solid-state NMR experiments from which information about structure and dynamics can be extracted. We introduce the basic formalism needed to understand such experiments, present some powerful design principles, and on this basis describe in a coherent way a series of homo- and heteronuclear dipolar recoupling experiments. These experiments serve to highlight design strategies, the gradual development of increasingly advanced and powerful methods, and reflect the application of dipolar recoupling in biological solid-state NMR spectroscopy.