The internal friction angle is one of the soil shear strength indexes which reflects the friction characteristics of soil，and is an important input parameter in geotechnical engineering design，especially for sand. Based on a mass of laboratory tests，in-situ tests，research studies and engineering practices，many empirical values and theoretical calculation formulas for the internal friction angle of sand are presented in domestic and foreign standards. By comparing the determination methods in domestic standards，American standards API & Engineer Manual，European standards Eurocode & BS 6349 and a series of international literature，the differences of various methods have been summarized. It is concluded that in the absence of laboratory test results，in-situ testing method to determine the internal friction angle is reasonable and feasible，which can provide some reference for related design work in domestic and overseas projects.