Abstract: The characterization of reservoir architecture is an important method to study genesis and spatial distribution of sedimentary units, which is of great significance for efficient reservoir development. Since the concept of reservoir architecture was proposed by Miall in 1985, many good results have been achieved in the field of sandy braided-river reservoir study in China and abroad. It is necessary to systematically summarize the progresses on the study of sandy braided-river reservoir architecture characterization. In terms of 4 aspects such as sandy braided-river reservoir architecture model, architecture unit scale, underground reservoir architecture characterization technology and the influence of architecture units of different orders on remaining oil distribution, the paper systematically summarizes the research progresses of more than 30 years, and points out the future development trend from the views of architecture model and its application— strengthening the study of sedimentary process, perfecting architecture models of different orders, enhancing discipline integration and realizing effective integration of sedimentary architecture sand body and reservoir performance