The grinding performance mainly depends on the surface topography characteristics of grinding wheel.The accurate detection of grinding wheel surface topography will not only help to further understand the grinding mechanism, but also be an indispensable prerequisite for grinding wheel surface modeling and grinding simulation.Therefore, typical surface topography detection methods for grinding wheel are summarized and the basic principles of these methods are briefly described, as well as their advantages and disadvantages analyzed.The current situation of surface topography detection methods for grinding wheel at home and abroad is analyzed.In the end, the existing problems are pointed out, and the development prospect is prospected.