The invention discloses lithium ion battery electrolyte. The lithium ion battery electrolyte comprises a solvent, lithium salt and additives; the methyl-containing chain carbonate ester in the solvent is less than or equal to 5 percent of the total mass of the solvent; and the additives comprise 2 to 4 percent of 1,3-propane sultone (PS). Compared with the prior art, the lithium ion battery electrolyte has the advantages that: the content of the methyl-containing chain carbonate ester with low stability in the solvent is controlled, and the additives, namely the 1,3-propane sultone, butanedinitrile, adiponitrile, vinylene carbonate (VC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and the like are added into the solvent, so that an interface of an electrode / the electrolyte can be improved, the decomposition of the solvent in the electrolyte is reduced, the quantity of gas generated in the battery is reduced, and the high temperature storage performance, the safety performance and the cycle performance of the battery under a high voltage are improved. Besides, the invention also provides a lithium ion battery employing the electrolyte.