Abstract: Black (pericarp) rice is a kind of rice with rich black or dark brown anthocyanins in its seed coat. It is rich in nutrients and can be used as both medicine and food, so it is widely used in the different industries such as the food, medicine and chemical. In this review, the research progresses on the nutritional composition (starch, protein, fat, minerals, essential amino acids, vitamins, flavonoids, phenols and dietary fiber), functional characteristics (anti-inflammation, anti-anaphylaxis, anti-asthma, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, reducing weight and fat, and decreasing blood sugar) and comprehensive utilization (food, medicine and chemical industry) of black rice are systematically concluded and summarized; which shall provide the systematic theoretical basis for its scientific understanding and intensive researches, and the beneficial references for its comprehensive utilization.