Abstract: Using dry-mixed mortar to substitute traditional mortar is a current trend for its many advantages，and cellulose ether (CE) is a kind of important additives for dry-mixed mortar. This article summarizes the effect of several mono-cellulose-ethers and mixed-cellulose-ethers conventionally used on the quality of dry-mixed mortar，such as water absorption，thickening，liquidity，workability and mortar strength etc. It is considered that mixed-cellulose-ethers are better than mono-cellulose-ethers. The fast development of dry-mixed mortar brings forward a higher demand for the production of CE. Therefore，the cellulose ether industry should catch up this opportunity to increase the level of technology，to develop CE varieties and to improve production stability.