Abstract: The permeability of saline soil in Zabuye salt lake in China was studied based on the analysis of difference between the results of saline soil in-site test and indoor seepage test. In order to make the tested values of permeability coefficient more accurate, an in-site permeability test method was proposed to evaluate the verti-cal permeability of soil. The formula for calculation of permeability coefficient was established from a mathematical model. An engineering application demonstrated the applied testing method and the formula were reliable.