As a convenient, efficient and low-cost research method, geomechanical model experiment can not only present the failure process of engineering intuitively, but also serve as an important research means to understand the overall mechanical characteristics, failure mode and stability of engineering. Therefore, geomechanical model experiments are widely used in the study of various geotechnical engineering problems. Due to the low deformation modulus of geomechanical model materials and their extremely sensitive strain under the same stress conditions, deformation measurement is crucial in model experiments. In order to improve the convenience and accuracy of deformation measurement in geomechanical model experiments, the main methods of deformation measurement in the current geomechanical model are summarized and analyzed. The results indicate that currently, the methods for measuring model deformation mainly include electrical measurement method, optical measurement method, and mechanical measurement method. Among them, electrical measurement method mainly includes resistance strain gauge method and displacement meter method, optical measurement method mainly includes fiber optic sensor method, digital image correlation method, photoelastic patch method, and moire interferometry method, and mechanical measurement method mainly includes percentage meter measurement method and theodolite observation method, through the explanation and comparison of the working principle, main application cases and advantages and disadvantages of various methods. The main difference between the different methods is the difference in the measurement range and the scope of application, among which the percentile meter method is suitable for measuring the deformation of a small area; To measure the internal deformation, the resistive strain gauge method and optical fiber sensor method can be selected; For deformation in larger areas, the displacement meter method and the optical fiber sensor method can be selected; The theodolite observation method can be selected for the specified point displacement; For full-field observation, digital image correlation method, cloud interferometry and photoelastic patch method can be selected. This achievement can provide an experimental reference for the experimental deformation measurement of related geomechanical models.