To investigate the expression of fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) in tongue cancer and its effect on the proliferation and migration of SCC-9 cells. Methods From January 2015 to January 2020, 40 cases of tongue squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding adjacent tissues were definitely diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. The expression of FGF3 in 40 cases of tongue squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The effects of blank group, FGF3 intervention group and FGFR inhibitor intervention group on the migration and proliferation of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells were detected by scratch test and CCK-8 test. Results In 40 cases of tongue squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding adjacent tissues, the high expression of FGF3 was 90% and 12.5%. There was significant statistical difference between the two (P＜0.01); in the scratch experimental group, at 24h, the percentage of scratch area in the blank group, FGF3 intervention group and FGFR inhibitor intervention group were (13.106±0.907)%, (7.515±0.733)% and (21.099±1.113)% respectively. There were significant differences in the percentage of scratch area between FGF3 intervention group and blank group and between FGFR inhibitor intervention group and blank group (P＜0.05). The results of CCK-8 experiment showed that the survival rates of cells in blank group, FGF3 intervention group and FGFR inhibitor intervention group were (100.000±4.026)%, (136.330±9.779)% and (83.199±4.954)%. There were significant differences between FGF3 intervention group and blank group, FGFR inhibitor intervention group and blank group (P＜0.05). Conclusion FGF3 is highly expressed in tongue squamous cell carcinoma and promotes the proliferation and migration of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCC-9.