The invention discloses a reagent and method for fast detecting water quality total hardness. The reagent for fast detecting the water quality total hardness comprises an indicator, a dyeing assisting agent and a sensitizer with the mass ratio of (35-50):(18-22):(25-37). The method for detecting the water quality total hardness comprises the following steps that 1, filter paper is immersed in a solution prepared from the reagent for fast detecting the water quality total hardness, soaked and dried, and water quality total hardness fast detecting test paper is obtained; 2, the water quality total hardness fast detecting test paper is immersed in a test solution prepared from a sample to be tested, and taken out after two seconds, the excessive solution on the test paper is thrown away, after color developing is complete, the standard colourimetric card is compared, and the water quality total hardness is obtained. The reagent for fast detecting the water quality total hardness is high in sensitivity, good in stability, easy and convenient to operate, economical and practical. The detecting method can fast detect the water quality total hardness on site, response time is short, testing speed is high, and the testing method can be used for fast testing the total hardness of drinking water, boiler water, alkaline mineral water, surface water, underground water, industrial consumption, waste water and the like.