The invention discloses a single-phase saturation iron core type fault current limiter. The current limiter comprises an iron core shaped like a Chinese character ''kou'', a group of alternating current coil windings and two groups of direct current coil windings. The direct current coil windings are wound around iron cores on two sides opposite to the iron core shaped like a Chinese character ''kou'', and are accessed into a direct current excitation circuit in an opposite serial connection manner. The alternating current coil windings wrap the outer sides of the direct current coil windings. The direct current coil windings are serially connected between an alternating current power supply and a system load. The direct current coil windings are connected in an opposite serial connection manner and have the same turns. According to the invention, the current limiter is simple in structure, occupies less space, is stable, highly efficient and capable of effectively limiting short-circuit fault current and has high economical and practical value; requirements on direct current excitation current imposed by a magnetic saturation switch type reactor are reduced; and use cost is reduced.