Atmospheric temperature and humidity profile is the key and basic meteorological parameter in the analysis of atmospheric thermal state, the study of atmospheric development and changes, severe weather warning, and numerical weather prediction. Retrieval algorithm of atmospheric temperature and humidity based on infrared spectra has been developed since 1960s, and can be divided into ground-based infrared retrieval algorithm and satellite-based infrared retrieval algorithm according to different observation positions. Basic types of retrieval algorithms of atmospheric temperature and humidity based on infrared spectra are summarized. The development of ground-based and satellite-based infrared detection methods for atmospheric temperature and humidity profile retrieval is introduced. Meanwhile, the retrieval method of atmospheric states combining ground-based with satellite-based infrared sounder is analyzed. Finally, the applications and development trend of atmospheric temperature and humidity profile retrieval method based on infrared spectra are briefly discussed.