High precision absolute distance measurement plays an important role in the development of sciences and technology. The traditional methods are gradually unable to meet the increasing requirements. Optical frequency comb is mode locked pulse laser with repetition rate and phase controlled, which has higher temporal, spatial, and frequency resolution. Thus, combbased distance measurement has attracted lots of attention due to its application in high accuracy large scale metrology and satellite flying formation. In this paper, the development and status of combbased distance measurement is summarized, and five measurement principles are introduced in detail, including synthetic wavelength interferometry, multiwavelength interferometry, dispersive interferometry, dualcomb interferometry, and timeofflight method.