The headspace extraction-GC-MS was used to separate and identify the volatile components of brown coal distillate(BCD)in this paper, while the retention index (RI)was verified using the C8-C40 n-alkane mix standard. There were 15 kinds of volatile components of BCD which had been identified; the main ingredients included acids, alcohols, esters, ketones, etc. And the quantity of each component was measured by the method of peak area normalization, the following several components content were higher: N-hydroxy ethyl amidine (5.396%), acetic acid (22.567%), urea (11.536%), methyl formate (8.475%), 2, 5-adipic ketone (5.521%), acrylic acid (12.470%), ethyl phthalate (8.446%), etc. The results indicate that the GC-MS in combination with RI can significantly improve the accuracy of the unknown compounds qualitative test, and increase the reliability of the test results. The method of measuring volatile components of BCD established in this paper provide technical reference for exploring the anti-salt stress active substance andits mechanism, as well as further development and utilization.