The invention relates to a vortex structure recognition method based on Support Vector Machine (SVM), in aspect of feature extraction, statistics of coefficient matrix from wavelet transform of refractive index filed data is extracted, compared with traditional method of utilizing coefficient matrix from wavelet transform directly, the method winkles mass of redundant information, and decreases calculating amount. In aspect of classifier design, classification method based on support vector machine is brought forward, minimum structural risk principle is utilized to ensure that the vortex structure is correctly detached by classification surface and the classification interval is made maximum, in theory the invention decreases mis-recognition rate compared with the traditional classification method based on minimum experiential risk principle. The invention can represent and distinguish turbulence vortex structure more accurately; the invention establishes bases of optics effect accuracy for airborne optical equipment of missiles and airplanes, etc.