Objective The distribution and length of the tear area and the degree of the contracture of the broken end of the rotator cuff tear image were measured and compared with the tear morphology seen during the operation. Methods From October 2019 to December 2021, a total of 38 patients who met the research criteria and underwent arthroscopic or open repair due to rotator cuff tear were collected. The distribution area, length, and degree of contracture of rotator cuff tear were measured by this method, and the general shape of the tear was described before surgery and compared with the intraoperative situation. The main comparison parameters included distribution area and length of preoperative MRI oblique sagittal and intraoperative tears, and degree of oblique coronal contracture. Paired sample rank sum test was used for statistical analysis. The preoperative MRI measurements and intraoperative measurements were compared for statistical differences. At the same time, the common area of tears was calculated, and the consistency of preoperative and intraoperative tear morphology was compared. Results A total of 38 patients (20 males and 18 females), ranging in age from 37 to 73 years, were enrolled. There was no significant difference in rotator cuff tear length and contracture degree measured by oblique coronal MRI before operation (P=0.427; P=1.000). There was no significant difference in the length of rotator cuff tear and the degree of contracture between the preoperative MRI and the actual incision measurement (P=0.341; P=1.000). There was no significant difference between preoperative MRI and actual intraoperative microscopic measurement (P=0.865; P =1.000). Statistical analysis of rotator cuff tear zones showed that there was no significant statistical difference between the origin and end areas of the tear shown by preoperative MRI and the actual intraoperative tear origin and end areas (P=0.180; P=0.411), and the distribution frequency of tear zone was high in zones 1~5. Conclusion Preoperative MRI measurement and description of tear partition can show the tear morphology relatively intuitively, and has good consistency with the tear morphology seen under microscope and incision. It is helpful to plan the distribution of anchor and suture method during operation. Shorten the learning curve of shoulder arthroscopy. To improve the consistency of interpretation of tear morphology between surgeons and radiologists.