The present paper analyzed the characteristics of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) of metal element lead in soil using the NITON XLt793 portable X-ray fluorescence spectra of heavy metal analyzer under laboratory conditions. The characteristic spectral lines of L(alpha) (energy: 10. 55 keV) and L(beta) (energy: 12. 61 keV) with different matrix elements were selected respectively for lead in the experiment. By measuring the intensities of the characteristic spectral line with different Pb concentration, the results demonstrate that the relation between concentration [mass fraction 10 x 10(-6) - 1 800 x 10(-6)] of Pb element and the intensity of the characteristic spectrum is well linear. The calibration curve of Pb was plotted based on the different concentration measurement results, and the limit of detection of 7.89 x 10(-6) was obtained for Pb in soil.