Abstract: To develop a method for rapid recognition of the producing area of flue-cured tobacco based on its appearance characteristics, the distribution of appearance regional characteristics of cured middle leaf samples of grade C3F sampled from different planting areas were studied,and the relationships with the appearance quality and physical characteristic of flue-cured tobacco were analyzed by quantitative assignment method. The results showed that: 1) Leaves from Huanghuai and North planting areas were much similar in appearance regional characteristics, which displayed a slightly grey background color of leaves, moderate or thicker thickness and relatively hard and brittle flexibility. Leaves from Southwest and the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River planting areas were similar, having a white background color, relatively bright luster and relatively smooth leaf surface tissue. The background color of leaves from southeast planting areas was slightly red, leaf luster was relatively dark and leaf surface tissue was slightly rough. 2)The background color of leaves from the secondary areas in the same planting areas was not significantly different, while the difference of waxiness and flexibility was larger. 3) The cluster analysis based on different regional scales gave identical results, and the secondary areas in the same planting area were clustered in the same category. 4) The correlation of appearance regional characteristic with appearance quality (except for the index of color difference between front and back) was weaker, while that with leaf thickness and weight of leaf per area (physical properties)was relatively strong. Therefore, the appearance regional characteristics of tobacco leaf could be used to recognize its producing area.