This paper is the result of mineral exploration engineering. Objective Vanadium is widely used in multiple fields due to its unique physical and chemical properties, playing an increasingly important role in economic development, and its demand is increasing. China is one of the countries with the largest amount of vanadium ore resources, ranking first in the world in terms of total resources, mineral product production, and consumption. It is of theoretical and practical significance to summarize the metallogenic regularity and assess the potential of vanadium. Methods We evaluated the potential of vanadium resources in China based on systematically summarizing the metallogenic regularity and mineralization patterns of vanadium deposits. Results The sedimentary vanadium deposits related to the black rock series are the type of vanadium deposits with the highest proportion of identified resources in China. This type of deposits mainly distributes in the northern edges and southeastern part of the Yangtze block, the Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt, and the northern edge of the Tarim block. The black strata deposited under the influence of marine invasion, biological organic matter, and hot water are the most important elements for searching for this type of deposit. The next important deposit type is vanadium titanium magnetite type related to basic ultrabasic rocks. The mineralization mainly related to deep and large faults. The banded structure igneous rock belt is the most important element for searching for this type of deposit. We delineated 213 prediction areas, including 32 in class A, 85 in class B and 96 in class C. Conclusions The characteristics of vanadium resources in China are abundant resources, low grade, abundant co associated minerals, and complex mineral composition. The low level of mineral processing and smelting technology leads to a low level of comprehensive utilization of vanadium resources and significant waste of resources. To consolidate and cultivate the advantages of vanadium resources in China, we suggest as follows: (1) Increase the investment in the exploration of magmatic– type V–deposits to ensure the production capacity demand of the existing V–industrial base. (2) Strengthen the research and development of sedimentary–type V ore processing and metallurgical technology, and the scientific and technological research and development of high–grade vanadium products. (3) Improve the efficient and high–end development and utilization of vanadium resources.