The present invention provides a purification method of alpha-methyl-naphthalene. The method comprises the following steps: the alpha-methyl-naphthalene without indole is used as raw material and reacts with metal halides for 3 to 8 hours; the metal halides are selected from AlX3 and ZnX2; wherein, X is atoms of Cl<-> and Br<->; after solids and flocculates generated in the reaction are removed, washing solvent is added into and mixed with the filtrate; then the mixture is standing for 20 to 40 minutes; the washing solvent is selected from methanol, ethanol, propanol, ether or benzene; after the solvent in the upper solution is steamed, the purified alpha-methyl-naphthalene can be prepared. The purification method eliminates most of methyl benzothiophene impurities and unknown substances in the alpha-methyl-naphthalene so that the purity of the alpha-methyl-naphthalene can reach to 99 percent. The purification method has the advantages of high quality of the product, high added value, broad source of the solvent, low price, low energy consumption and so on. The alpha-methyl-naphthalene that is prepared in the purification method can be used as pharmaceutical intermediates, surfactants of terylene printing carriers, or used on other occasions requiring relatively high-purity alpha-methyl-naphthalene.