Abstract: The root system plays a very important role in plant anchorage, water and nutrient uptake, as well as synthesis and storage of metabolites. Quantitative analysis of root architecture, or the spatial configuration and distribution of the root system in the soil, will facilitate our understanding of root structure, function and their interactions in the ecosystem. Here, we introduce the concepts of root architecture and summarize recent progress in quantitative analysis of root architecture, with some examples of major research methods and techniques currently being used in this area.