Objective To explore the relationship between stereological parameters of MRI images of benign and malignant meningioma, in order to find a way to clinically identify benign and malignant meningioma. Methods MRI images and pathological data of 182 meningioma patients were collected. The tumor volume (V) and tumor surface area density (Sv) were measured by stereological methods. Results There were 148 benign groups with an average volume of 36.51 cm3 and an average surface area density of 4.83. There were 34 malignant groups with an average volume of 49.09 cm3 and an average surface area density of 7.06. There was no significant difference in the volume of meningioma between the benign and malignant groups (P＞0.05). The surface area density of meningiomas in the malignant group was higher than that in the benign group and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.05). There were 27 cases (27/34) in the malignant group Sv≥618 and 127 cases (127/148) in the benign group Sv≤5.60. Conclusions The method of stereology to determine the surface area density of meningioma is feasible. The surface area density of meningioma is related to the pathological grade. Sv≥6.18 and Sv≤560 can be used as indicators to identify the benign and malignant meningioma.