Lodging is one of the main factors affecting the yield of common wheat（ Triticum aestivum L.） . Improvement of lodging resistance in varieties is a key goal in wheat breeding. In this study， 528 wheat varieties and lines from China were used to determine the phenotypic characteristics that affect lodging. Statistical analysis including genetic variation analysis， correlation analysis， principal component analysis， multiple linear regression analysis and cluster analysis were used to evaluate the lodging resistance. A wide range of genetic variation was observed at six characteristics reflecting lodging resistance. The basal internode length and plant height were negatively correlated with resistance to the thrust， while the basal internode diameter was positively correlated with the resistance to thrust， however， no significant correlation between the basal internode length and the internode diameter was observed. Principal component analysis showed that information about all characteristics could be represented by three principal components， with the cumulative contribution rate of 83.837%. Regression analysis revealed that the first internode diameter， first internode length， second internode diameter， second internode length， and plant height significantly affected the thrust of wheat. Cluster analysis based on the thrust suggested four groups from the tested genotypes， among which 66 wheat varieties（ lines） in the first group represented the strongest lodging resistance. Collectively， these results provided a theoretical basis for the use of lodging-resistant varieties in agriculture， and also the evaluation method of lodging resistance in parents and derived offsprings.