Objective To investigate the characteristics of fingerprint parameters between Han and Hui nationalities in Ningxia, China. The parameters included fingerprint patterns, finger ridge count(FRC),total finger ridge count(TFRC), pattern intensity index(PⅡ), corresponding fingerprint patterns, combined pattern in 5 fingers in one hand.Methods A random sampling was conducted among 614 which comprised 262 Hui (129 male, 133 female) and 352 Han (206 male, 146 female). Inked fingerprint sample were collected and fingerprint parameters were analyzed with informed consent. Results Frequencies of both ulnar loop (U) and radial loop (R) showed significant difference between two nationalities. Corresponding fingerprint patterns from high to low were same in the two nationalities which showed as W/W>L/L>L/W>A/L>A/A>A/W.TFRC in Han were 137.34±2.01 in male and 123.604±1.75 in female, in Hui were 137.36±2.25 in male and 120.584±1.91 in female respectively, In the combined pattern in 5 fingers of one hand, two populations all showed higher observed rate in 0,0,5;0,5,0 and lower observed rate in 0,2,3;0,3,2 et. al.Conclusion There is no significant difference between two nationalities in TFRC but sexes. The digressive order in 5 fingers of one hand appears difference in U, it is more invariableness than the other indexes.A/W is incompatible. There is a significant different fingerprint parameters among different Hui nationalities in China, that may indicate they have different origin. The heritability of arch is 91%, so it distributes different in different populations in the world. The rate of arch