Objective To observe the depth of ETT when placing the ETT with the balloon passed 2 cm below the vocal cords (2-cm approach). Methods A total of 200 patients (100 women and 100 men), of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ，undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia requiring insertion of ETT. After anesthesia induction，the ETT was performed under video laryngoscope with 2-cm approach, and the ETT depth at the upper incisor was recorded. The distance from ETT tip to carina, the distance from the upper incisor to carina, and the distance from the vocal cord to carina were measured with a fiberoptic bronchoscope after intubation. Linear correlation of the ETT depth at the upper incisor with the patients’ height was analyzed. The incidence of adverse events was recorded. The incidence of excessively deep intubation of the 2-cm approach and the 21/23-cm method were calculatied and recorded. Results Compared with the 21/23-cm method, the ETT depth of the 2-cm approach was reduced significantly (P＜0.05), and the incidence of excessively deep intubation was declined significantly (P＜0.05). No adverse event was found. The ETT depth at the upper incisor was positively correlated with the patients’ height (r=0.565，P＜0.05). Conclusion Compared with the 21/23-cm method, the 2-cm approach was more safer with lower excessively deep intubation and bronchial intubation.