Mass spectrometry is accepted as a universal tool with high sensitivity,specificity and speed among various modern analytical technologies,and has been widely applied as a high-throughput and rapid detection technology in fields of food inspection,environmental monitoring,drug screening,clinical medicine,etc.In this paper,recent advances in low-resolution mass spectrometry(LRMS),high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS) and ambient ionization mass spectrometry(AIMS) in high-throughput and rapid detection,particularly toward small molecule compounds have been reviewed,and the trends and prospective for the development of mass spectrometry have been discussed,which may provide a theoretical support and a technical guidance for the researchers engaged in relevant fields.