Abstract: Location accuracy and utilization ratio of data is affected by the selection of acoustic emission source location algorithm. 3D acoustic emission source location method based on exhaustion algorithm was presented. The region of search was determined by the trigger order of sensors in order to improve the timeconsuming problem of common exhaustion algorithm. Based on the source location test of pencil lead break test and split test in different size specimens, the selection of node space was discussed, and the utilization ratio of data, computing time and location accuracy of commercial software and exhaustion method were compared and evaluated. The result showed that, proper setting of node space would make the computing time and location accuracy become stable. The computing time of improved exhaustion algorithm was about 20% of direct searching exhaustion algorithm, compared with the other methods, the utilization ratio of improved exhaustion algorithm was the higher with good location accuracy.