Optical frequency combs are known to output uniformly-spaced ultrashort optical pulse trains in the time domain, which correspond to a series of phase-locked discrete comb lines in the frequency domain. Such unique feature makes them capable of high-precision distance measurement as a standard time-frequency reference, which is extremely promising in scientific research and industrial applications. Firstly, recent advances of high-preci. sion distance metrology based on optical frequency combs are reviewed. Secondly, basic principles and representa. tive results of single-comb time-of-flight method, dual-comb optical down-sampling method and dispersive interfer. ometry method are presented in detail. Advantages, limitations and appropriate applications of each method are also analyzed. Finally, enhancement of metrology performance based on dual-comb lasers and micro-resonator frequency combs is discussed.