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This article evaluated the urban land use efficiency (ULUE) of 57 cities in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) from 2005 to 2017 with the super epsilon based measure (Super-EBM) model, analyzed its difference characteristics and evolution trend by using the Theil index and kernel density function, revealed its spatial correlation by Moran index and LISA clustering, and also explored its influencing factors by the Tobit model. The results show that the ULUE of the YRB first declined and then increased, with the highest in the upstream areas, followed by the downstream areas, while the lowest in the middle reaches of the YRB. The ULUE in the YRB presented the characteristics of continuous distribution, and the ULUE in the cities south of the Yellow River was significantly higher than that in the cities north of the Yellow River. Secondly, the imbalance of ULUE in the YRB was aggravated, and the difference between groups was small while the difference within the group was absolutely dominant. The imbalance of ULUE in the midstream areas of the YRB dominated the whole basin. Thirdly, the ULUE of the YRB had a significant spatial correlation. In 2017, the local spatial correlation was mainly low-low aggregation, and the clustering area was concentrated in resource-based cities in Shanxi Province. Finally, the impact of economic development on ULUE in the YRB presented a "U" curve relationship. The proportion of secondary industry, population density, introduction of foreign capital, innovation level and traffic facilities can significantly promote the ULUE in the Basin, while land urbanization and environmental regulation had a negative impact on the ULUE of the YRB. This paper is important to realize the intensive use of urban land and achieve high-quality development in the YRB. • The urban land use efficiency, its spatial-temporal features and influencing factors of the Yellow River Basin were analysed. • The urban land use efficiency of the Yellow River Basin first declined and then increased during 2005–2017. • The urban land use efficiency had a significant spatial correlation and mainly low-low aggregation in 2017. • The economic development level had a "U" shaped impact on the urban land use efficiency. • Population density, foreign capital, innovation level and traffic facilities positively affect urban land use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]