The invention discloses a metal pipe wall thickness detection device, and relates to the technical field of the ultrasonic detection. The device comprises an electromagnetic ultrasonic sensor, a mounting part for mounting the electromagnetic ultrasonic sensor, a buffer module and a driving module which are connected in order. The invention further provides a metal pipe wall thickness detection method, the method comprises the following steps: the driving module drives the buffer module, and then drives the mounting part for mounting the electromagnetic ultrasonic sensor, so that the electromagnetic ultrasonic sensor is propped against a metal pipe and rotates the metal pipe, the electromagnetic ultrasonic sensor is maintained to always close to the metal pipe, and the electromagnetic ultrasonic sensor transmits and receives a detection signal. The detection device disclosed by the invention is long in service life, convenient for operation, convenient and practical, and has the functions of improving the energy conversion efficiency, and satisfying the detection on the metal pipe wall thicknesses in different specifications.