Abstract: To explore different potassium absorption and utilization between tobacco varieties with different potassium efficiency, a sand-culture pot experiment was carried out to study the potassium nutrition characteristics from 10 tobacco varieties. The biomass, potassium content (mass fraction), potassium accumulation, root physiological indicators and potassium uptake kinetic characteristics from the 10 tobacco varieties were detected, and their potassium efficiency was evaluated and classified. The results showed that the potassium absorption efficiency of 10 tobacco varieties negatively correlated to their utilization efficiency, and the tobacco varieties could be divided into 3 types:varieties with high absorption efficiency and low utilization efficiency (Type 1), varieties with low absorption efficiency and low utilization efficiency (Type 2) and varieties with low absorption efficiency and high utilization efficiency (Type 3). Type 1 tobacco had higher potassium contents, and Type 3 tobacco was contrary. The potassium uptake kinetic parameters indicated that comparing with Type 2 and Type 3 tobaccos, the maximum uptake rate (V_max) and comprehensive absorption capacity (α) of Type 1 tobacco increased by 90.6%, 215.6% and 36.1%, 90.6%, respectively. Comparing with Type 2 tobacco, the V_max and α of Type 3 tobacco increased by 40.0% and 65.6%, respectively. However, the Michaelis-Menten constant (K_m) of Type 3 tobacco decreased by 8.6%. Comparing with Type 1 and Type 2 tobaccos, the minimum equilibrium concentration (C_min) and tolerance to infertility (β) of Type 3 tobacco decreased by 15.7%, 10.2% and 15.9%, 13.1%, respectively. Root physiological indicators suggested that Type 1 tobacco had higher root vigor, soluble protein contents and K⁺ influxes.