As the first working draft of human genome is released in 2000, it empowers researchers to access critical genome information and accelerate the improvement of personalized medicine. The development of DNA sequencing method continually focuses on reducing cost and high-throughput reading. The first generation DNA sequencing method is found in the early 1990s. After three decades of gradual improvement, including the incorporation of chemistry, biochemistry, optics, automation, micro-fabrication and nanotechnology, the second-generation (massively parallel DNA sequencing) and the third-generation (single-molecule DNA sequencing) DNA sequencing platforms were developed. Here, we review the principles and characters of each DNA sequencing platform. Finally, we briefly discuss related developments and future perspectives in this field.