Color histogram is now widely used in image retrieval. Color histogram-based image retrieval methods are simple and efficient but without considering the spatial distribution information of the color. To overcome the shortcoming of conventional color histogram-based image retrieval methods, an image retrieval method based on Radon Transform (RT) is proposed. In order to reduce the computational complexity, wavelet decomposition is used to compress image data. Firstly, images are decomposed by Mallat algorithm. The low-frequency components are then projected by RT to generate the spatial color feature. Finally the moment feature matrices which are saved along with original images are obtained. Experimental results show that the RT based retrieval is more accurate and efficient than traditional color histogram-based method in case that there are obvious objects in images. Further more, RT based retrieval runs significantly faster than the traditional color histogram methods. Color histogram is now widely used in image retrieval. Color histogram-based image retrieval methods are simple and efficient but not considering the spatial distribution information of the color. To overcome the shortcoming of traditional color histogram-based image retrieval methods, an image retrieval method Firstly, images are decomposed by Mallat algorithm. The low-frequency components are then projected by RT to generate the spatial Finally the moment feature matrices which are saved along with original images are obtained. Experimental results show that the RT based retrieval is more accurate and efficient than traditional color histogram-based method in case that there are obvious objects in images. Further more , RT based retrieval runs significantly faster than the traditional color histogram methods.