The research status on the effects of adding Sn separately and combined additions of Sn and other elements on microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys such as Mg-Al,Mg-Zn,Mg-Li or Mg-RE systems were reviewed.At the same time,the research and development of novel magnesium alloys with Sn addition,such as Mg-Al-Sn,Mg-Sn-Zn,Mg-Sn-Mn,Mg-Sn-Ca/Sr,Mg-Sn-Bi and Mg-Sn-RE based alloys,were also introduced.