The influence of alloy elements on the corrosion resistance of 18 types of low alloy steels in atmospheric zone, splash zone and seawater of submerged zone was respectively investigated using electric connection technique. Based on the experimental results, regression equations were derived to describe their corrosion behaviours.The results showed that the corrosion resistance of low alloy steels could be greatly improved by adding some alloy elements, such as P, Cu and Mo for marine atmospheric zone and P, Mo and Cu for splash zone, and Al and Cr for seawater submerged zone.