Using ERA-interim reanalysis data and aircraft air reports in south-central China, the application effects of seven indexes in air turbulence are compared and analyzed. The results show that the Brown index has the lowest coincidence rate between different indexes with or without turbulence, followed by the ellrod1 and ellrod2. The strength and existence of turbulence can be judged from the index values, and the false alarm rate is low; The coincidence rate of MOS-CAT and L-P index range is too high, which is easy to cause high false alarm. The turbulence areas calculated by the ellrod1, ellrod2 and Brown correspond best to the positions reported in the air. Dutton and HTG are unstable; the calculation ranges of MOS-CAT and L-P index are too large, and the applicability is poor. The calculation emphases of different indexes are different. When thermal factors are dominant, the calculation effect of HTG index is better.