Abstract: Characterization ability of Johnson-Cook（JC）, modified Zerilli-Armstrong（m-ZA） and Arrhenius constitutive model based on strain compensation were compared and studied for the high temperature flow behavior of 304 austenitic stainless steel. The material constants of these constitutive models were calculated using experimental stress-strain data from thermal compression tests at temperature（1173-1473 K）, strain（0.1-0.8） and strain rate（0.01-10 s^-1）. The applicability of the three models was evaluated by comparing the correlation coefficient, absolute average error of the predicted results, the ability to describe the deformation behavior, and the number of involved material constants. The results show that the JC model is not sufficient to describe the flow behavior of 304 austenitic stainless steel in the hot working area. The predicted results of modified Zerilli-Armstrong models are in good agreement with the experimental data. The Arrhenius type equation based on strain compensation requires more material constants and more calculation time than the modified ZA model, but it can track the deformation behavior more accurately.