Abstract The inversion of strain (rate) parameters based on total least squares (TLS) is studied, not only considering the error of observation(displacement or velocity field), but also considering the error effects of the coefficient matrix generally composed of monitoring points coordinates. All calculation formulae of crust strain (rate) parameters inversion based on total least squares (TLS) using monitoring points displacement or velocity field are deduced. Because there are constant part independent from monitoring points coordinates and coordinates part in the coefficient matrix, it is divided into two parts. The stochastic model of strain parameter inversion using coordinate displacement with TLS is solved by matrix vec operator. Through a simulated example, the comparisons and analysis of strain (rate) parameters are carried out between the total least squares (TLS) results and least squares (LS) results. The rationality and effectiveness of total least squares (TLS) in crust strain (rate) parameters inversion are confirmed.