The invention discloses a wavelet neural network-based distribution network single-phase short circuit line selection method, which belongs to the technical field of distribution network protection. The method comprises the following steps: 1) db4 wavelets are selected to serve as a wavelet packet basis function to decompose transient zero-sequence current in each feeder line of the distribution network, and the sampling frequency is 10KHz; 2) the modulus maximum of the transient zero-sequence current is calculated; 3) the modulus maximum obtained in the second step and the polarity of the modulus maximum are used for training the neural network; and 4) the BP neural network after the training in the third step is applied to the distribution network with single-phase short circuit, and a fault line is determined according to a different output result. The method of fault line selection by using the wavelet neural network disclosed by the invention has good reliability and practicability, a single-phase grounding fault line can be effectively eliminated, stable operation of the distribution network system is facilitated, and an important role is played in planning and applications of a distributed power supply.