The invention discloses a pipeline cleaner positioning system and method, and belongs to the field of oil gas pipelines. The pipeline cleaner positioning system comprises a first pressure transmitter,a second pressure transmitter, a first signal collector, a second signal collector, a signal processor and an electric source, wherein the first pressure transmitter is arranged at the upstream end of a target pipeline; the second pressure transmitter is arranged at the downstream end of the target pipeline; the first signal collector is electrically connected with the first pressure transmitter;the second signal collector is electrically connected with the second pressure transmitter; the signal processor is connected with the first signal collector and the second signal collector; the electric source is used for supplying electricity for the first pressure transmitter, the second pressure transmitter, the first signal collector, the second signal collector and the signal processor; andan upstream pressure signal and a downstream pressure signal are obtained from the first signal collector and the second signal collector by the signal processor, and are respectively treated into anupstream pressure value and a downstream pressure value, the upstream pressure value and the downstream pressure value are treated, and if a pre-set mutation value exists in the upstream pressure value and the downstream pressure value, positioning on a pipeline cleaner is performed by the signal processor. The positioning method of the pipeline cleaner positioning system disclosed by the invention is high-efficiency, accurate and simple, and monitoring the running state of the pipeline cleaner in a real-time manner is convenient.