Objective To investigate the values of cytokines in evaluating the severity and prognosis of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods A total of 205 COVID-19 patients in Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the severity of the disease, patients were divided into common group (n=117), severe group (n=69) and critical group (n=19). The patients’ basic condition and cytokine related parameters were collected, the differences between the three groups were compared and their values in assessing the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 patients were analyzed. Results There were statistically significant differences in the age, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nucleic acid test results, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-2 receptor, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α among the three groups of patients (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the age, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nucleic acid test continued to be positive for 20 days, IL-6 level, IL-10 level, IL-2 receptors level, IL-8 level and tumor necrosis factor-α level were related to the classification of COVID-19. The correlation coefficient rs was 0.354, 0.187, 0.366, 0.327, 0.329, 0.273 and 0.157, respectively (P<0.05). The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-2 receptor, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α in dead patients with COVID-19 were higher than those in surviving patients (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR)=1.034, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.006, 1.063), P=0.016], IL-6 level [OR=1.030, 95%CI (1.006, 1.055), P=0.015], IL-10 level [OR=1.088, 95%CI (1.003, 1.179), P=0.042] and IL-2 receptor level [OR=1.003, 95%CI (1.001, 1.005), P=0.001] were independent risk factors for common COVID-19 to become severe or critical. Conclusion The levels of cytokines in COVID-19 patients are closely related to the severity and prognosis of the disease.