Objective To evaluate the validity of current spirometric reference values for healthy adults in Shanghai. Methods Healthy non-smoking adults without respiratory diseases were randomly enrolled in the study. Gender, age, standing height, body weight and spirometric parameters were obtained.The parameters were compared with reference values from current prediction equations with or without conversion factors. Results A total of 127 healthy adults (60 males and 67females) aged 18 - 57 years participated in the study. In the study, pulmonary function parameters of healthy adults, especially of female adults were higher than predicted values, according to prediction equations from Chinese subjects in Shanghai. There were discrepancies between measuring values and reference values from foreign prediction equations with or without conversion factors. Conclusion Spirometric parameters of healthy adults,especially female population in Shanghai might be underestimated by present reference values from Chinese subjects. Foreign reference values and their conversion factors are not able to match measuring values.Validity of spirometric reference values for adults in Shanghai should be reassessed.