Objective To evaluate the screening ability of anthropometric indicators for mild cognitive impairment （MCI） in the elderly and to determine the optimal cut-off value. Methods The multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select 502 permanent residents over 60 years old in 6 communities/towns in 3 cities in Guangxi, for cognitive assessment, and measurement of anthropometric indicators.The elderly were divided into cognitively normal group and MCI group, and the differences of anthropometric indexes between the two groups were compared.With cognitive assessment result as gold standard, receiver operating characteristic curve （ROC） was plotted and area under curve （AUC） was compared. Results There were significant differences in height, waist circumference, calf circumference, BMI, waist to height ratio, waist to calf circumference ratio (WCR), body roundness index, abdominal volume index and body adiposity index (BAI) between the two groups （all P＜0.05）.The ratio of waist to calf circumference showed higher screening ability for MCI （AUC=0.681）.The screening ability of waist to calf circumference ratio+waist to height ratio was highest in patients aged 60-＜65 years （AUC=0.708）, while WCR+BAI was the hig-hest in the 65-＜75 year old group （AUC=0.735）. Conclusion WCR, BAI and WHtR have a certain value for screening MCI in the elderly.WCR+WHtR is the best combination for the aged 60-＜65 years, while WCR+BAI is the best combination for 65-＜75 years old.