Objective To introduce the method of reading systematic reviews. Methods Papers and books on reading and evaluating medical literature were searched comprehensively, and general principles and approaches of reading systematic reviews were summarized. Results The following 10 points were summarized to help read systematic reviews in a scientific, rapid, and efficient way: ① Was there any overviews of reviews? ② Was there a recent update? ③ Were the previous relevant systematic reviews integrated? ④ Were sound searching strategies established and implemented? ⑤ Was quality evaluation done concerning the original research? ⑥ Were the results of the original research conflated properly? ⑦ Was there any explanation to the limitations or weaknesses of the systematic review? ⑧ Were the problems to be solved in the next stage put forward? ⑨ Were the abstracts and full-texts reported sufficiently? ⑩ Were the systematic reviews helpful in solving practical problems? Additionally, the readers were divided into the four groups based on their application of the systematic reviews: health policy makers, health care suppliers, researchers as well as patients and common people. Conclusion The reading of the systematic reviews should be stressed in order to better guide decision-making and promote evidence-based practice.