Object To select the optimum extracting procedure for quercetin from bud of Sophora japonica L. Methods The optimum extracting procedure was selected with the content and extraction effeciency of quercetin from bud of S. japonica by orthogonal test design. Results The optimum extracting procedure was determined with 10 times of 0.05% sodium hydroxide decocting 20 min and 4 times, adjusting pH value to 6, hydrolyzing with 10 times of 4% sulfuric acid for 1 h after precipitated. Conclusion The optimum extracting procedure increased the content and extraction efficiency of quercetin from bud of S. japonica.