In this study, a fast carbonyl reductases colorimetric screening method for discovering stereoselective carbonyl reductases was established by combining the reverse alcohol oxidation with the azoreductase-catalyzed reduction of azo dye. When azo dye (Orange I , 4-(4-hydroxy-1-naphthylazo) benzenesulfonic acid) and azoreductase (AzoB) were added into the reaction system of alcohol oxidation catalyzed by carbonyl reductase, the produced NAD(P)H served as electron donor for the azoreductase to reduce the azo dye, resulting the color fade. Hence, the carbonyl reductases can be screened by the obvious color change. When chiral alcohol was used as the substrate, the activity and stereoselectivity of carbonyl reductases can be screened at the same time.