Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of calcitriol ointment in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Methods A 12-week, single-blind, randomized, multicenter trial was performed. Totally, 231 patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into calcitriol group （n = 117） receiving single calcitriol treatment, and calcipotriol group （n = 114） receiving single calcipotriol treatment. Ointments were used twice daily for 12 weeks. Evaluation was performed at the baseline, and after 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks of therapy, clinical effects and adverse reactions were recorded. Results On week 8, the response and effective rates were 4.2% and 67.5%, respectively, in the calcitriol group; 14.4% and 74.6%, respectively, in the calcipotriol group; no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups （both P > 0.05）. At the end of treatment, improvement of lesions was achieved in 91.1% of the calcitriol-applying patients and in 81% of calcipotriol-applying patients without significant difference between the two groups （P = 0.78）. Local irritating reactions occurred in 4% of calcpotriol-applying patients and 11.2% of calcpotriol- applying patients, with significant difference in the occurrence rates （P < 0.01）. No systemic reactions were found in either group. Conclusion The study shows that topical calcitriol ointment is safe and effective for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.