The invention discloses a triphenylthiol additive-containing lithium-sulfur battery electrolyte and a lithium-sulfur battery. The electrolyte comprises an ether solvent, a lithium salt and an additive, and the additive is 1, 3, 5-benzene trithiol. According to the electrolyte of the lithium-sulfur battery, small organic molecule mercaptan 1, 3, 5-triphenylthiol is used as an additive, and triphenylthiol can quickly generate a uniform organic-inorganic SEI layer with a lithium negative electrode in the lithium-sulfur battery, so that the generation of dendritic crystals of the lithium negative electrode is further improved; and meanwhile, a self-binding oligomerization reaction with a sulfur positive electrode in the lithium-sulfur battery can be carried out to generate phenyl polysulfide, so that the generation of polysulfide is reduced, and the dissolution loss of active substances is reduced. The benzene trithiol forms double-layer protection on the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the lithium-sulfur battery, so that the long cycle stability, coulombic efficiency and rate capability of the lithium-sulfur battery are effectively improved, and the lithium-sulfur battery has commercial application potential.