The invention relates to a hierarchical classification method for internet flow, comprising the following steps: firstly, coarse grained classification is conducted as follows: a flow statistical property method based on machine learning is adopted for quickly classifying network flow, the network flow is divided into applied categories with different characteristics, if the flow distinguished by the coarse grained classification needs to be used, the flow can be output directly, and if the flow needs further classification, next step is conducted; and secondly, fine grained classification is conducted as follows: classification is further conducted on the applied categories distinguished by the coarse grained classification, the network flow can be intelligently, accurately and effectively identified in real time, good integrity and expandability are realized, and the requirements on the internet flow classification with different application targets and classification grain size can be met.