The research on deformation zoning mechanism of tunnel surrounding rock is of great significance for ensuring safe production and disaster prevention in coal mines. However, the traditional deformation zoning theory of tunnel surrounding rock uses the ideal strain softening model as the criterion for judging the zoning type of all tunnel surrounding rock, ignoring the difference between the deformation zoning type of a specific actual tunnel and the basic zoning type of surrounding rock. In order to study the method for determining the actual deformation zoning type of tunnel surrounding rock, the formation mechanism of the actual deformation zoning of tunnel surrounding rock has been revealed. Combined with engineering examples, a method for determining the actual deformation zoning type and boundary stress of specific tunnel surrounding rock has been proposed. The results show that the boundary stress and position of the actual deformation zone are determined by the peak strength fitting line, residual strength fitting line, support strength line, and the position of the circumferential and radial stress relationship lines of each deformation zone. The actual boundary stress of each zone of tunnel surrounding rock is ultimately only related to the basic mechanical properties of the tunnel surrounding rock and the in-situ stress field. The research results can provide reference for disaster management of underground engineering, stability evaluation of surrounding rock, and support scheme design.