Abstract: Classification of limestones is the foundation for study of limestone origin and sedimentary facies. Because of the existence of various problems in previous classification schemes of limestones, no classification scheme of limestones is widely accepted at present in China. So different scholars adopt different classification schemes, resulting in chaos in naming and classification of limestones, such as different names for one limestone, or different implications for one name. On the basis of analysis of previous classification schemes, this paper proposes a new classification scheme of limestones. Based on the types and content of textural components, limestones are divided into limemudstone, grain?bearing limemudstone, grainy limemudstone, grainstone (including limemud grainstone and sparry grainstone), reef limestone (including limemud reef limestone and sparry reef limestone), reef clast limestone (including sparry reefclast limestone and limemud reefclast limestone). Each type can be divided further based on grain type and reef?building organism type or based on mineral components by Class?3 nomenclature