Abstract: Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals. At present, the dietary Se intake is generally inadequate in China. Therefore, it is important to improve the Se content in food crops and to study the nutrient absorption of Se in rice to improve the nutritional status of Se in Chinese residents. Based on the summary of relevant literature, the Se fugacity and effectiveness of soil Se in rice fields and its influencing factors were outlined, and the Se uptake characteristics, and metabolic mechanisms in rice were summarized in terms of Se content, uptake and accumulation and metabolic pathways in rice. The application of Se can promote the increase of rice yield, improve the quality of rice, and regulate photosynthesis, enhance its antioxidant capacity and resistance to stress, thus protecting the normal growth and development of rice. Although some progress has been made in the uptake, transport and metabolic mechanisms of Se in rice, the regulatory mechanisms, genetic mechanisms and synergistic mechanisms between Se and other plant nutrients are also worthy of further study to provide a theoretical basis for the production of Se-rich rice and the exploitation of plant Se resources.