To study and evaluate BMP7s functions in osteogenic differentiation of human periosteal cells in vitro. Human periosteal cells from adult tibia were collected and cultured as experimental samples. BMP7 was used to induce periosteal cells in the experiment group with common osteogenic medium. The proliferative activity of periosteal cells was detected by CCK-8. The potentials of osteogenic differentiation were demonstrated as follows: (1) realtime-PCR and ELISA to confirm the expression of the OC, ALP and OPN, (2) Colorimetry, ALP staining and Von Kossa staining were performed to identify ALP activity, ALP expression and calcium nodules, respectively. Based on the significant different expression of OC, ALP and OPN, BMP7 ability of osteogenic differentiation can be identified. ALP activity detection, calcium nodules staining and toluidine staining also provide the power evidence to support BMP7 can promote osteogenic differentiation of human periosteal cells in vitro. To human periosteal cells, BMP7 is a good inducer for osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, it's maybe a potential tool for clinical application.