Evaluation of anticancer effects on cell levels plays a crucial role in drug discovery. This guideline summarizes various methods for assessing anticancer effects and mechanisms, including cell viability, cell cycle, cell metabolism, cell damage and death, cell behaviors and function, it also briefly reviews the basic principles and specific experimental procedures. It is worth noting that it is recommended to use more than three methods to verify the accuracy of experimental results, so as to provide necessary references for the screening and evaluation of anticancer drugs and foods.