Objective To study the methylation of SLC5A8 gene in colorectal cancer. Methods Specimens adjacent to carcinoma tissue and normal tissue in the patients with colorectal cancer tissue were collected. Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect SLC5A8 gene methylation level. Results Differences in colorectal cancer tissue, the tissue adjacent to carcinoma and normal tissues of SLC5A8 gene methylation rate were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Differences of SLC5A8 gene methylation positive rate in colorectal cancer tissues, cancer adjacent tissues and normal tissues was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The SLC5A8 gene expression and methylation status is negative correlation (r = -0.682). Conclusions The SLC5A8 gene methylation is important in the process of colorectal cancer occurs, it may have closely relationship of occurrence and development.