In order to further analyze the permeability characteristics of cohesionless soil containing carbonate sand, South China Sea carbonate sand and fine grain quartz powder were used as test materials to prepare test soil samples. The GDS high-pressure triaxial apparatus test system and constant head permeameter were used to carry out research on the influence of carbonate sand content, initial void ratio and effective stress on the permeability characteristics of cohesionless soil. And then an empirical model of permeability coefficient considering effective stress was established. The test results show that when the content of carbonate sand is less than 40%, the grain structure is cohesionless soil matrix, and the pore structure is determined by fine grained soil; The structure of carbonate sand sample is the skeleton structure of sand particles, and the magnitude of permeability coefficient increases significantly; With the increase of effective stress, the permeability coefficient of the sample decreases significantly. An empirical model for the permeability coefficient of cohesionless soil with carbonate sand was established. The model parameters were closely related to the properties of the soil sample. The calculated values were in good agreement with the test values. The research results can provide reference for practical projects.