The ecological safety issue due to cadmium (Cd) contamination in soils cannot be ignored. Presently, China has no environmental criteria established for Cd in soil based on ecological safety considerations. In this study, we collect and screen relevant Cd toxicity data related to China from results of domestic and international studies on Cd ecotoxicity in soil. We use species sensitivity distribution, combined with prediction models for Cd ecotoxicity in soil to derive ecological safety criteria for the total Cd and EDTA-extractable Cd in soils under different land use types. We obtained a total of 126 Cd toxicity data on 13 species and ecological processes, involving 60 terrestrial plants (6 species), 39 invertebrates (3 species), and 27 ecological processes (4 indicators). The prediction models we developed suggested that soil pH was the most important factor affecting Cd ecotoxicity in soil. The ecological safety criteria for the total Cd/EDTA-extractable Cd in soils with different pH values were 1.91-5.25/1.13-3.12 mg·kg^-1 for protected natural areas and agricultural land; 3.94-11.1/2.34-6.62 mg·kg^-1 for park land; 7.59-22.0/4.51-13.1 mg·kg^-1 for residential land; and 10.5-30.8/6.24-18.4 mg·kg^-1 for commercial services and industrial land. The results provide a basis for the establishment and revision of soil pollution control standards in China.