金属探测器可用于探测金属地雷；在安全领域，可以探测随身携带或隐藏的武器与作案工具；在考古方面，可以探测埋藏金属物品的古墓，找到古墓中的金银财宝与首饰或其他金属制品；在工程中，可用于探测地下金属埋设物，例如管道、管线等；在矿产勘探中，可用来检测和发现自然金颗粒；工业上，可用于在线监测，如去掉棉花，煤炭，食品中的金属杂物等。
Metal detector can be used to detect metal mines; in the field of security, it can detect weapons and crime tools carried or hidden; in archaeology, it can detect ancient tombs where metal objects are buried, find gold and silver treasures and jewelry or other metal products in ancient tombs; in engineering, it can be used to detect underground metal objects, such as pipelines, pipelines, etc.; in mineral exploration, It can be used to detect and find natural gold particles; in industry, it can be used for online monitoring, such as removing metal impurities in cotton, coal, food, etc.
金属探测器还可作为开展青少年国防教育与科普活动的用具，也不失为有趣的娱乐玩具，特别是最近几年，欧美国家已将个人兴趣类金属探测器大范围普及，将金属探测活动演变成为户外运动的一部分。
Metal detector can also be used as a tool to carry out national defense education and popular science activities for teenagers, and it is also an interesting entertainment toy. Especially in recent years, European and American countries have popularized the metal detector of personal interest in a large range, and evolved the metal detection activity into a part of outdoor sports.