Abstract: Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) is recognized as a green and sustainable machining technology that addresses the shortcomings of flood cooling and dry cutting techniques,and it is more and more widely used in the field of machining.The basic principle and application of MQL are reviewed. Firstly, the MQL, its systems, and its performance in turning, milling, grinding and drilling are analyzed. The tool side wear can be reduced by 60% when the MQL is milling SKD 61 steel. Secondly, the progress and classification of MQL are described, and the cooling lubrication mechanism of nanofluid MQL (NMQL), cryogenic MQL (CMQL) and multi-field energized MQL is analyzed in detail.The results show that the temperature of grinding titanium alloy is reduced by 40% compared with that of MQL.In machining, the MQL improves the cooling lubrication effect, reduces the cost and cutting fluid usage, and improves the machining performance in terms of surface roughness, cutting force and tool wear.