Objective To investigate imaging signs of X-ray, CT and MRI for spinal tumors. Methods Imaging data of 94 patients with spinal tumors were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent X-ray and MRI examination, and 88 patients underwent CT examination. All patients underwent pathological examination, and the above data were collected. The imaging features and pathological results of X-ray, CT and MRI were compared to determine the diagnostic efficiency and imaging features of X-ray, CT and MRI for spinal tumors. Results There were 22 cases with solitary malignant tumors and 37 cases with multiple tumors (with metastatic tumors). There were a total of 100 cases with malignant tumors and 122 tumor sites, including 11.5% in the cervical spine, 33.6% in the thoracic spine, 34.4% in the lumbar spine and 20.5% in the sacrococcygeal vertebrae. Images of X-ray for hyperosteogeny, sclerosis and periosteal reaction were relatively better. Images of CT for soft tissue mass, hyperosteogeny, sclerosis and bone marrow edema were relatively better, and images of MRI for soft tissue mass and bone marrow edema were better than those of X-ray or CT. The sensitivity of X-ray in the diagnosis of malignant tumors (86.4%) was lower than that of CT or MRI (93.0%, 95.0%). Malignant spinal tumors showed osteolytic destruction or osteolysis mixed with osteogenesis. The detection rates of X-ray were different for bone quality of different tumors, while CT and MRI could effectively judge the influence on bone quality. Conclusion The incidence of metastatic tumors in spinal tumors is high, and most of them have obvious imaging findings. The sensitivity of CT or MRI is higher than that of X-ray for malignant tumors. Clinical diagnosis should be made combined with past history and pathological examination.