Abstract: Recently, along with the development of ambient pressure sample introduction methods, ionization sources and ion manipulation methods, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has evolved from a specific use technology for detecting chemical warfare agents, explosives and drugs to a widely used technology for analytical and bioanalytical measurements. As increasing of the measurement task complexity, IMS of high analytical performance, especially ultra-high resolution, is required. Firstly, the theory and application of IMS were introduced. Secondly, the resulting effects of experimental parameters on resolving power were explained and compared among the different IMS types. Thirdly, the application of ultra-high resolution IMS in the bioanalytical field and the accompanied limitations were discussed. Finally, a brief perspective on the future development of ultra-high resolution IMS was provided.