In order to realize the rapid and high precision calibration of standard scattering plate used in calibrating visibility meter, based on the calibration principle which a standard scattering plate calibrates a forward scattering visibility meter, an error analysis method for the optical system of the standard scattering plate calibration system used in a calibration visibility meter was established. The working principles of the calibration system were analyzed, and subsequently, a model of this optical system was established with a combination of the deviation arising from its optical system, fabrication and adjustment. Further, an experiment was designed to validate the model’s correctness. Next, the main errors that affect the precision of the scattering plate’s optical system were analyzed, for which an error propagation model was constructed. Finally, a comprehensive error analysis method for the system is proposed and a comprehensive deviation model is developed according to the analysis of the deviation of distortion, image plane position, principal point position, image plane inclination, and focal length. Each deviation is analyzed respectively, and the allowable deviation range of the deviation of distortion, image plane position, principal point position, image plane inclination, and focal length are, in order, 0.024 mm, 0.399 mm, 0.02 mm, 0.28 rad and 0.392 mm. Consequently, there is theoretical basis for precision improvement of the calibration system and the error sources analysis and compensation during calibration.