Objective To investigate the value of MRI examination in the diagnosis of vaginal involvement and lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer. Methods The clinical data of 60 patients with cervical cancer treated in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and cervical cancer was confirmed by surgery and pathology. All patients underwent preoperative MRI examination and surgical treatment. With postoperative pathological results as the golden standard, results of MRI in the diagnosis of vaginal involvement, lymph node metastasis and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage were compared. The value of MRI in the diagnosis of vaginal involvement, lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage was analyzed. Results ①The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of vaginal involvement were 75.00%, 92.31% and 90.00%, respectively. The misdiagnosis rate and missed diagnosis rate were 7.69% and 25.00% respectively. ②The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis were 76.92%, 97.87% and 93.33%, respectively. The misdiagnosis rate and missed diagnosis rate were 2.13% and 23.08% respectively. ③Compared with the pathological results, the overall accuracy rates of clinical staging and MRI staging were 68.33% and 85.00%, respectively, with a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion MRI is of great value in the diagnosis of vaginal involvement and lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer, and it can improve the accuracy of clinical FIGO staging.