Abstract: Intestinal permeability is one of key factors determing absorption of oral drug products. It is a big challenge to assess permeability of compounds with high accuracy and high efficacy during research and development process. In this review, the principles, strengths, weaknesses and advances of common intestinal permeability models are summarized, with focus on Ussing chamber and parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. In addition, future trends of permeability models are briefly discussed. This review may provide a reference to accessing permeability of lead compounds.