The concept of marine phytoplankton community specific growth rate (μ) and its related concepts were discussed. The four basic methods for estimating μ, frequency of dividing cells, biochemical indices, model approaches, and dilution incubations without grazers were reviewed, among them the dilution method was recommend as standard method for preliminary investigations of μ in China seas. After preliminary comparing and analyzing the μ around the world, we found that (1) μ depends on taxa composition of target phytoplankton community, (2) μ is relatively higher in offshore waters than in open seas and oligotrophic waters, (3) μ is even higher in mesotrophic areas than in eutrophic areas in offshore waters, and (4) μ is higher in smallcelldominated community than in big-cell-dominated community. Many things still poorly understand and more studies on μ are needed in China.