The fluorescence intensity information was collected by scanning its fluorescence spectra at different excitation wavelengths. Based on its high sensitivity and selectivity, excitation-emission fluorescence can be widely used for detection of pollutants in the environment. The characterizations of the three phenolic compounds were investigated by this method, and the fluorescence peaks of phenol, m-cresol and thymol were confirmed at 272/300 nm, 274/300 nm and 276/304 nm when the excitation and emission wavelength were set in the range of 240-360 nm and 260-500 nm respectively. The excitation and emission spectra of the three phenolic compounds are very similar because of their analogical structure. The intensity of the spectrum has a good linear relationship with the concentration when the solution concentration is between 0.02 and 1.0 mg·L-1, and the limits of detection can reach at 1 μg·L-1. Results show that the three compounds can be analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by excitation-emission fluorescence.