Accumulating evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in the biological behaviors and progression of glioma. However, the function and bio‑molecular mechanisms of miR‑342 in glioma remain largely unclear. In the present study, reverse transcription quantitative‑polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of the factors investigated. MTT assay was performed to examine the proliferation rates. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to test the binding between miRNA‑342 and its putative target. Data indicated that miR‑342 expression was markedly decreased in human glioma tissues and cell line U87, and reduced miR‑342 expression significantly promoted cell proliferation. In order to explore the mechanisms, G‑protein coupled receptor family C group 5 member A (GPRC5A) was identified as a target of miR‑342 and depletion of GPRC5A suppressed cell proliferation. Our findings demonstrated that miR‑342 regulates the cell proliferation of glioma by targeting GPRC5A, which indicates that miR‑342 is a target of interest regarding the treatment of refractory glioma, and it may provide a promising prognostic and therapeutic strategy for glioma treatment.