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[Objective] The study on the spatial-temporal change characteristics of land use/cover is of great significance for the protection and rational development of land resources in the Yellow River Basin, and can provide an important reference for the implementation of ecological protection and high-quality development strategy in the Yellow River Basin. [Methods] Based on the annual land use/cover data of the Yellow River Basin from 1980 to 2021, the characteristics of land use/cover change in the Yellow River Basin in recent 40 years were investigated by using Mann-Kendall and sliding t-test, geographic information TUPU standard deviation ellipse and gravity shift model. [Results] (1) From 1980 to 2021, forest land, shrub, water area, and construction land increased significantly, while the cultivated land, grassland, and wetland decreased significantly. (2) The periods of land use/cover change in the basin can be divided into 1980—1992, 1993—2001, 2002—2012, and 2013—2021, and the quantitative structure gradually presented by rapid changes, and the changes of construction land, wetland and water area were sensitive. The balance of land-use structure was gradually increased, and the stage changes showed a high correlation with the implementation of major strategic measures, and more consistent with the divided stage. (3) In the middle and upper reaches of the basin, the main changes were from 2012 to 2021 and intermittent changes, and the main changes were from 2001 to 2012 and from 2012 to 2021, and the main changes were from 2001 to 2012 and from 2012 to 2021, and the main changes were from arable land to construction land and grassland. The basin changed frequently in northern Ningxia, eastern inner Mongolia and some areas along the Yellow River system. (4) The centers of gravity of wetland, water and construction land moved westward, showing concentrated distribution to the southwest, east and northwest, respectively. [Conclusion] The overall trend of land use structure becomed better under the guidance of policies. In the future, we should pay more attention to wetlands and areas with frequent land use changes.