The invention discloses a preparation method of mercaptoacetic acid, which comprises the following steps: 1) In a reactor, add monochloroacetic acid, sodium monochloroacetate and carbon disulfide, stir, add alkali solution dropwise, after the reaction is completed, separate the oil phase and the water phase ;2) After separation of the oil phase mixture, unreacted carbon disulfide is recovered and recycled, and the residual mixture is acidified into a weak acid solution, which is extracted by adding an organic solvent for 2 to 3 times, the organic phase is combined, washed with saline solution and water, and the oil phase is separated and the water phase; 3) The separated oil phase is distilled to recover the organic solvent, and the residue is thioglycolic acid. Carbon disulfide reacts with alkali to generate mercapto groups, and then reacts with sodium monochloroacetate to generate sodium thioglycolate. Adding an appropriate amount of acid, organic solvent, and alkali solution, the cost of raw materials is low and the consumption of reagents is low; excessive carbon disulfide is recovered and recycled for use. High efficiency, clean production process; mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, no need for high temperature and high pressure, low equipment investment costs.