The invention discloses a method for real-time face animation based on single video camera. The method tracks 3D locations of face feature points in real time by adopting a single video camera, and parameterizes head poses and facial expressions according to the 3D locations, finally may map these parameters into an avatar to drive face animation of an animation character. The present invention may achieve a real time speed by merely adopting a usual video camera of the user instead of an advanced acquisition equipment; the present invention may process all kinds of wide-angle rotations, translation and exaggerated expressions of faces accurately; the present invention may also work under different illumination and background environments, which include indoor and sunny outdoor.