Objective To evaluate the dietary iodine intake of the residents in Zhejiang province.MethodsThe cluster sampling method was applied to select 9798 residents in Zhejiang province except pregnant and lactating women. Their dietary intakes were investigated for 3 days, and dietary iodine intake was calculated based on the food composition table. Salts and drinking water samples were collected for iodine measurement by colorimetric titration or spectrophotometer method.Results The median dietary iodine intake was 272.36μg/d for all residents, with an ascending trend by age (χ2=102.27,P< 0.05). The median dietary iodine intake was the highest among those living in inland and sub-coastal areas and the lowest in the coastal areas (χ2=666.20,P < 0.05). The percentages of residents with dietary iodine intake lower than the Chinese RNI were 19.10%, 35.37%, 11.76%, 7.36% in all areas, the coastal, sub-coastal and inland areas, respectively. In addition, 14.49%, 13.04%, 12.10%, 19.51% of residents in all areas, the coastal, sub-coastal and inland areas had an excess iodine intake (greater than the Chines UL) respectively. The contributions to the dietary iodine intake were 73.45% by salts, 1.22% by drinking water and 25.16% by foods. The inland areas had the highest contribution rate by salts (81.64%), and the lowest contribution rate by water (0.79%); the coastal area had the lowest contribution rate by salts (65.37%), and the highest contribution rate by laver and sea fish (23.57%, 2.48%).ConclusionThe dietary iodine intakes in Zhejiang sub-coastal and inland areas were at an appropriate or safe level, while it was insufficient in the residents living in the coastal areas. Nutrition education should be specialized so as to reduce iodine intake in the inland areas, and increase iodine salt consumption in the coastal areas.