The distributions of sodium content in feedstuffs for livestock and poultry in China was studied to provide a scientific basis for rational use and precise formulation of feedstuffs. The determination results of sodium contents in 3 853 feed samples collected from 30 provinces (cities, regions) in China showed that the average sodium contents in different kinds of feeds ranged from 47.9 to 9 179 mg/kg. The distribution regularities of sodium contents were: animal-protein feeds > mineral feeds > forage feeds> straw feeds > cereal processing by-products > plant-protein feeds > cereals. A significant or extremely significant difference (P<0.05 or P<0.01) was also observed in sodium contents from different feeds in the same categories. Provincial comparisons in sodium contents of corn, wheat and soybean meal showed that the sodium contents in feed materials were greatly affected (P<0.05) by regional environmental changes. Among 152 common formulations of basal feeds for pigs and chickens in China, the calculated sodium contents ranged from 71.5 to 271 mg/kg, which could not meet the normal nutritional requirements, and additional sodium needed to be added to the feeds. In brief, results from this survey indicate that the sodium contents in feedstuffs in China were greatly affected by feed types and regions. The results would contribute greatly to producers' knowledge of actual sodium contents in feedstuffs to precisely formulate feeds to ensure animal health, efficient meat production, reduction of feed cost, and reduction of pollution on environment by sodium emission.