circRNA is a new type of non-coding RNA. Due to its stable circular structure in various organisms and its involvement in metabolic regulation of organisms, circRNA is involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases and is closely related to a variety of respiratory diseases. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex respiratory disease associated with gene and environment. Some studies have found that circRNAs play an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD and may become a diagnostic marker or a new therapeutic intervention target for COPD. The correlation between circRNAs and the pathogenesis mechanism of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is reviewed to summarize the biological role of circRNAs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.