Objective To systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of TERC gene on high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) of the cervix. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, and The Cochrane Library were searched by March 31, 2012. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened and the data were extracted. The quality was evaluated in accordance with the quality assessment tool for diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS) and the meta-analysis was conducted by using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. Result A total of 12 studies involving 7 894 cases were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratios of TERC gene on HGSIL of cervix were 0.81 (95%CI 0.80 to 0.82), 0.83 (95%CI 0.82 to 0.84), 17.37 (95%CI 8.77 to 34.41), respectively. Conclusions The diagnostic value of TERC gene were medium in diagnosing HGSIL of the cervix alone, and it can be used as an optional method in clinical diagnosis.