Abstract: Diphenyl ether herbicides are widely used in agricultural production to control broad-leaved weeds in farmland. However, with the widespread use of diphenyl ether herbicides, they also pose potential toxic hazards to non-target organisms and are easily adsorbed by soil colloids, resulting in pesticide residues. This article comprehensively discussed the current research of diphenyl ether herbicides from three aspects, i.e. residue analysis method, residual behavior, and ecological toxicity. Moreover, it elaborated on the toxicity of diphenyl ether herbicides to various non-target organisms such as fish, bees, and birds. The results showed that diphenyl ether herbicides were highly toxic to most fish, but generally had low toxicity to other non-target organisms. The degradation half-life of diphenyl ether herbicides in the field was relatively short, ranging from approximately 0.3 to 28.4 d, and it varied under different environmental conditions. The residual levels of diphenyl ether herbicides in various crops and soils were documented, along with the maximum residue limits established by national and EU regulations. This article can provide reference for the application and scientific management of diphenyl ether herbicides in the field.