Redox conditions in marine settings controlled the concentrations of redox sensitive trace elements in sediments and sedimentary rocks. Thus, the concentrations of them could be used to reconstruct the paleoredox. Redox sensitive trace elements, U, V and Mo, have fewer origins and (mostly) do not move after deposition and burial, consequently, the sediments and sedimentary rocks retained the primary concentrations of these elements and could reflect the characteristics of the depositional conditions. These confer to U, V and Mo a good value as proxies for paleoredox. In oxic to suboxic conditions, U, V and Mo do not enrich; however, U and V enrich in anoxic and euxinic conditions but Mo just enriches in euxinic settings. Therefore, the combined use of U, V and Mo concentrations may allow us to distinguish the redox conditions. However, we should pay attention to the influences of the degree of depositional environments restriction, diagenesis and postdepositional reoxygenation on the concentrations of these elements. When using redox sensitive trace elements to reconstruct the paleoredox, we must assess sources of trace elements concentrations in the sediments or sedimentary rocks, and eliminate the influence of nonhydrogenous sources of trace elements, then use a suite of trace elements to reconstruct paleordox may give credible conclusions.