Aerosol scattering properties are the important basis for radiative transfer simulation, climate research and remote sensing of atmosphere and ocean. For its basic standing, how to obtain the scattering characteristics of aerosol has become the international hotspot of atmospheric research. In this paper, the actuality and progress of the study on aerosol scattering numeral simulation techniques are introduced concisely, and the main content can be divided into three parts, shown as follows:(1) the disadvantages of Mie scattering theory are concluded and analyzed. (2) Existed scattering theories are classified into several groups, and their development history and actuality are introduced, in this part, the basic principle, applicable scope (including particle shape, size, refraction index, etc.), computation complexity, merit and demerit of each scattering model, which are helpful for the selection of suitable scattering model for certain applications, was emphasizely analyzed. (3) The problems existed in the scattering numeral techniques are summarized, and the corresponding research hotspots and development trend are concluded as well.