Carotenoids are terpenoid pigments composed of isoprenoid units， and play important roles in maintaining eye health and improving immunity. Humans cannot synthesize carotenoids and must be taken from the diet. After intake， carotenoids will undergo a complex digestion， absorption and metabolism processes， and will be affected by various factors such as the food itself and the environment in the human body. The intestinal tract is the most important place for carotenoid absorption and metabolism. This article reviewed the influence of compound structure， dietary factors， processing methods， encapsulation， transport proteins， biolytic enzymes and other factors on the absorption and metabolism of carotenoids in the intestine， and discussed the role of gut microbiota. This review provides support for the research on the absorption and biotransformation of carotenoids.