As it can simulate the absorption environment of gas molecules and provide a long absorption optical path, optical gas absorption cell has been widely used in gas molecular spectroscopy, trace gas detection and other fields. The development of optical gas absorption cell is reviewed from the perspectives of normal temperature and variable temperature in this work. Firstly, the principle and application of White cell, Chernin cell, Herriott cell and Circular multipass optical gas absorption cell used in room temperature gas measurement are introduced, and the corresponding advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. Then, the technology, main performance indexes, structure characteristics and applications of the optical gas absorption cell used in variable temperature gas measurement are described. Finally, the future development of optical gas absorption cell is prospected.