Objective To explore the clinical value of 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in osteosarcoma. Methods Eighteen cases were selected and examined by 1H-MRS scan, which had stable spectral lines, with the measurement parameters of Cho and Cho/Cr ratio. Results Cho/Cr ratio was significantly different between the high-grade and low-grade malignant osteosarcomas. As a diagnostic parameter, the best threshold value of Cho/Cr was 2.3. Conclusions 1H-MRS might be helpful for assessment of malignant degree of osteosarcoma.