Objective To investigate the accuracy of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and CT angiography (CTA) in evaluating the degree of subclavian artery stenosis (SAS) in patients and their imaging features. Methods The clinical data of 60 cases of patients with SAS were analyzed retrospectively. Based on the results of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the accuracy in evaluation of the degree of arterial stenosis was compared between CDFI and CTA. The image features of the two kinds of methods were analyzed. Results The coincidence rate of CDFI in evaluating the degree of arterial stenosis was 90% (54/60), and the difference was not significant (P > 0.05) in comparison with CTA[96.7% (58/60)]. CDFI images of patients with SAS showed that the vertebral artery diameters of affected side were significantly narrower than those of the contralateral vessels. Some patients showed reflux of vertebral artery, and few patients were with serious stenosis or occlusion. The images showed star-like blood flow signal. CTA image showed that there were different degrees of soft plaque, calcified plaque and mixed plaque formation in patients with mild, medium and severe arterial stenosis. At the stenosis sites, the filling of contrast agents was not so good, resulting in the contrast agents in patients with complete arterial occlusion did not develop. Besides, there was no contrast agents filling in some parts of the lumen. Conclusion Both CDFI and CTA images have their specific imaging features in artery stenosis sites of patients with SAS. And it can be used as a feasible way for diagnosis of SAS and evaluation of artery stenosis.