Objective To explore the diagnostic value of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and galectin-1 levels in the diagnosis of glioma. Methods The serum levels of C-reactive protein and galectin-1 were detected in 116 healthy control individuals, 103 low-grade glioma patients and 138 high-grade glioma patients. Results Compared with the healthy control group, the serum CRP and Galectin-1 levels in the low-grade glioma group and high-grade glioma group showed significantly increased. Compared with the low-grade glioma group, the serum CRP and Galectin-1 levels in the high-grade glioma showed significantly increased. When the C-reactive protein and galectin- 1 were used alone and combined diagnosis for distinguishing between healthy control group and the glioma group, the C-reactive protein and galectin joint detection showed better diagnostic value compared to the indicator used alone, its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 91.29% and 88.80%. When the C-reactive protein and galectin- 1 were used alone and combined diagnosis for distinguishing between low-grade glioma group and high-grade glioma group, C-reactive protein and galectin joint detection showed better diagnostic value compared to the indicator used alone, its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 87.55% and 87.93%. Conclusion The combined detection of C-reactive protein and galectin may be used as a potential diagnostic method for glioma.