Objective To explore the guiding value for operation of MRI in diagnosing the cranial base chordoma. Methods MRI features of 15 cases with cranial base chordoma, which were proved by biopsy and surgery, were retrospectively analyzed. Results Most of the cranial base chordoma were located in the middle area of the skull base such as clivus and sellar region and always invaded extensively the nerves and major intracranial vessels of skull base. All tumors were hypointense on T_2WI and enhanced more markedly, but steady heterogeneous. Conclusion MRI examination is of great clinical signifiance in delineating the location, size and extension of cranial base chordoma, and showed anatomic relation with surrounding structures such as the major intracranial vessels of skull base, which is very important in surgical planning.