Abstract: The concept of high entropy alloys has attracted the attention of numerous researchers.This design breaks the traditional alloy design strategy and provides a new idea for researchers. High entropy alloys have four core effects: lattice distortion effect, high entropy effect, sluggish diffusion effect and cocktail effect. Among these core effects, lattice distortion effect is considered to be the key factor to determine the properties of high entropy alloys. The lattice distortion effect was briefly described, and the existing quantization methods of lattice distortion were summarized and evaluated, and the influence of lattice distortion effect on the phase formation and mechanical properties of high entropy alloys was expounded.Finally, the problems of lattice distortion in high entropy alloys were pointed out, and the prospect was also given.