Objective To investigate the differences in magnetic resonance imaging features among the WHO grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas.Methods We retrospectively studied the Magnetic Resonance Imaging features of WHO grade Ⅱ (31 cases) and WHO grade Ⅲ (15 cases) meningiomas, which were compared with WHO grade I meningiomas (51 cases).Results The shapes of WHO grade I meningiomas were predominantly rounded. The rate of lobular shape of WHO grade Ⅱ meningiomas was higher than that of WHO grade Ⅰ meningiomas. While most of the shapes of WHO grade Ⅲ meningiomas were lobular (P=0.0400). The largest diameters of WHO grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas were 4.6cm, 4.5cm and 4.8cm respectively (P=0.7790). WHO grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas with heterogeneous intensity 73.3%(P=0.0150), and with heterogeneous contrast enhancement respectively(P=0.0011). Dural tail could be found in WHO grade I, Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas(P=0.0579). There are partial or complete disappearance of the peritumoral band in WHO Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ (P=0.0002). The rates of intratumoral cysts of WHO grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ meningiomas are higher than that of WHO grade I meningiomas. There are no significant differences in peritumoral cysts and peritumoral edema association with meningiomas amoung WHO grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas.Conclusions The shapes of WHO grade I meningiomas are predominantly rounded. The rates of lobular shape of WHO grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas are higher than that of WHO grade I meningiomas. WHO grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas are more common displaying heterogeneous intensity, and heterogeneous contrast enhancement comparing with WHO grade Ⅰ meningiomas. The incidences of partial or complete disappearance of the peritumoral band of WHO grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas increase dramatically, while the rates of dural tail of WHO grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas decrease slightly. Intratumoral cysts relate to higher occurrence of WHO grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas, while peritumoral cysts were independent of it. There are no significant differences about peritumoral edema amoung WHO grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ meningiomas.