Abstract: Objective To understand the provincial distribution of active tuberculosis (TB) patients in floating population in China and provide evidence to develop effective control and prevention strategies. Methods Based on the state TB management system, the analysis was conducted on the data of current living places and original living places of active TB patients in floating population registered in China in 2010. Results Totally 74 596 TB patients were registered in floating population in China in 2010, in which 29 578 (39.7%) migrated within their own provinces and 45 018 (60.3%) migrated to other provinces. Of the patients migrating to other provinces, 41 532 (92.3%) were registered in eastern provinces, 2266 (5.0%) were registered in western provinces and 1220 (2.7%) were registered in central provinces. Of the patients migrating within their own provinces, 15 188 (51.3%) were registered in eastern provinces, 7670 (25.9%) were registered in western provinces and 6720 (22.7%) were registered in central provinces. Of the patients migrating to other provinces, 20 697 (46.0%) were from western provinces, 20 157 (44.8%) were from central provinces and 4164 (9.2%) were from eastern province. The population floating pattern was observed in this study. Conclusion The western region of China is major labor source place, the eastern region is the destination of these labors. It is necessary to conduct TB prevention and control according to the provincial distribution of TB cases in floating population and strengthen the cooperation among provinces.