The invention relates to a multi-steady state display and a method. The display comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode and a liquid crystal layer, wherein the first substrate is parallel to the second substrate; the first electrode is arranged on the first substrate; the second electrode is arranged at the side of the second substrate, facing to thefirst substrate; and at least one of the first electrode and the section electrode comprises a grid electrode; and the liquid crystal layer contains smectic liquid crystal molecules. The invention adopts a special electrode design, effectively improves the display contrast ratio and also has the multi-steady state display effect.