Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Wilson score for predicating difficult intubation. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP were searched to collect the studies about Wilson score for predicating difficult intubation published from inception to January 2013. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality by QUADAS. The analysis was conducted by using Meta-Disc 1.4 software, and the random effect model was chosen to calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and the 95%CI. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was drawn and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated in order to comprehensively assess the total diagnostic accuracy of Wilson score for predicating difficult intubation. Results A total of 9 studies involving 6 506 subjects were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: the pooled sensitivity was 0.57 (95%CI 0.53 to 0.62), specificity was 0.89 (95%CI 0.88 to 0.90), positive likelihood ratio was 6.11 (95%CI 4.63 to 8.07), negative likelihood ratio was 0.52 (95%CI 0.41 to 0.66), diagnostic odds ratio was 12.76 (95%CI 8.60 to 18.93), and the AUC of SROC was 0.84. Conclusion Wilson score plays a role in predicating difficult intubation, while some other clinical indicators also need to be taken into consideration in its application.