A method for determining pyrethroid pesticide residue in the tea samples by gas chromatography was established. Methods Benzine-acetone 1∶1 (V/V) was used as the extractant. The quartz capillary vessel column and electron capture detector were used, and an external standard was used for quantification. We analyzed pyrethroid pesticide residues of armor cyanogen chrysanthemum ester, chlorine cyanogen chrysanthemum ester, cyanogen fifth heavenly stem chrysanthemum ester and bromine cyanogen chrysanthemum in tea samples. ResultsThe result indicated that the recoveries of armor cyanogen chrysanthemum ester ranged from 82.7%-101.3% with a RSD of 2.19%-5.46%; the recoveries of chlorine cyanogen chrysanthemum ester ranged from 81.7%-102.5%, with a RSD of 2.11%-5.63%; the recoveries of cyanogen fifth heavenly stem chrysanthemum ester ranged from 85.3%-103.6% with a RSD of 2.04%-4.29%; the recoveries of bromine cyanogen chrysanthemum ester ranged from 86.1%-102.3%, with a RSD of 1.98%-5.25%. Conclusion The method is accurate and reliable, and suitable to analyze all kinds of pyrethroid pesticide residues in tea from the market.