Objective To quantitatively evaluate carotid artery elasticity by ultrafast pulse wave (ufPWV) technique, and analyze the correlation between triglyceride glucose index (TyG) and arterial elasticity. Methods A total of 388 subjects who underwent ufPWV detection in Jiangsu Provincial Government Hospital from August 2020 to May 2022 were included. The formula of TyG index was LN ［fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) /2］. According to the quartile of TyG index, 388 volunteers were divided into Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), onset of systolic pulse wave velocity (PWV-BS) and end systolic pulse wave velocity (PWV-ES) were measured by ufPWV technique. Cardiovascular risk factors (body mass index, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, smoking history, etc.) were recorded in detail. The relationship between TyG index and arterial elasticity was analyzed. Results There were significant differences in gender, age, body mass index, high density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose, uric acid, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, white blood cells, platelets, history of diabetes among the four groups (all P＜0.05). There were no significant differences in low density lipoprotein, creatinine, urea, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (all P＞0.05). The correlation analysis between PWV-ES (r = 0.641, P＜0.001) and age was significantly better than that between cIMT (r = 0.401, P＜0.001) and PWV-BS (r= 0.185, P＜0.001). PWV-ES was positively correlated with the increase of TyG quartile. PWV-ES was significantly correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and TyG index. Taking group Q1 as a reference, there was a gender difference in the TyG index in predicting the risk of carotid atherosclerosis, and the value of TyG index in predicting the risk of carotid atherosclerosis was greater in men. And the predictive value was higher at the beginning when arterial elasticity increased. Conclusion TyG index is independently correlated with PWV-ES. ufPWV technique and its parameter indicator PWV-ES are helpful for early detection of atherosclerosis in diabetic patients, so as to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients