Abstract: In order to solve the problem that the large collapse step distance of hard roof causes large area of pressure, 1102 working face of Qiuji coal mine is taken as the research object, the study on the collapse law of hard roof by roof cutting and pressure release is carried out.Based on the cantilever beam theory, the calculation formula for the collapse step distance of the hard roof after the roof cut and pressure relief.The load of each rock layer on the hard roof of Qiuji coal mine 1102 working face and the collapse step distance of each rock before and after the roof cutting and pressure release are calculated theoretically.The collapse characteristics of the roof before and after roof cutting and pressure release are analyzed, and the accuracy of the theoretical analysis is verified by the field measured data.The results show that after the roof cutting and pressure release, the collapse step distance of the immediate roof is reduced from 26.66 m to 9.13 m, which is a reduction of 65.8%; the step distance of the initial collapse of the main roof is reduced from 45.41 m to 25.64 m, which is a reduction of 43.5%, and the collapse step distance of the cycle collapse is reduced from 18.54 m to 12.82 m, a reduction of 39.9%.Roof cutting and pressure relief reduces the collapse step distance between immediate roof and main roof, realizes effective control of the collapse step distance of hard roof, and ensures safe mining of the working face.It is a reference for coal seam mining and mine pressure control under similar geological conditions.