Nanoparticle-based colorimetric sensing assays have recently attracted considerable attention in diagnostic application due to their simplicity and versatility.The key to establish nanoparticle-based colorimetric sensing assay is the control of nanoparticle dispersion and aggregation by using analytes of interest.Consequently，the color of the solution is the central in the design of such systems.This paper introduced briefly the physical phenomenon (i.e.colors) associated with nanoparticles and their aggregation， discussed the interparticle forces of nanoparticles，and described the modulation of nanoparticle stability and aggregation，which utilized both interparticle crosslinking and noncrosslinking aggregation mechanisms.The applications of nanoparticle-based colorimetric sensing assay in detecting heavy metal ions and biomolecules were reviewed，and its prospect was put forward.