Objective: To propose a scoring system based on laryngoscopic characteristics for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant vocal cord leukoplakia. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Tertiary hospitals Participants: Laryngoscopic images from 200 cases of vocal cord leukoplakia were retrospectively analyzed. The morphologies of vocal cord leukoplakia under laryngoscopy were evaluated by two laryngologists. Main outcome measures: The laryngoscopic signs of benign and malignant vocal cord leukoplakia were compared, and statistically significant features were assigned and accumulated to establish the leukoplakia finding score (LFS). Results: A total of five indicators (size, thickness, texture, hyperemia, and anterior commissure involvement) associated with malignant vocal cord leukoplakia were included to construct the LFS, with a possible range of 0–10 points. The diagnosis of malignant vocal cord leukoplakia as a score of ≥6 points was the most efficient. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the LFS were 93.8%, 83.6%, and 86.0%, respectively. The consistency in the LFS obtained by different laryngologists was strong (kappa=0.809). Conclusion: This scoring system based on laryngoscopic characteristics has high diagnostic value for distinguishing benign and malignant vocal cord leukoplakia.