Threshold friction velocity u*t or threshold velocity ut represents the erodibility of soil and is the critical factor for dust emission into the atmosphere. It is also one of the most important parameters in dust emission schemes, and can be determined via three widely used methods, namely, observation through field experiments, model parameterization and statistical calculation. The results obtained by different methods can be compared and validated. The dust emission criterion could be established and the parameterization schemes for dust emission threshold could be improved based on the results of field experiments. This paper has reviewed the results, applications, representation and differences of various methods. The remaining problems and suggestions in the future have been pointed out.