Unclear distribution of grinding traces in cross grinding leads to difficult control of grinding surface quality. To identify grinding traces distribution pattern in response to process parameters， the influence of main grinding parameters on surface quality was investigated. According to the grinding traces distribution formula of single abrasive diamond，the influence of the wheel speed，workpiece speed，feed rate，speed ratio and phase shift on the grinding traces distribution was analyzed and discussed. Based on the influence of grinding parameters on grinding traces distribution and scallop height，optimal grinding parameters combination was selected，and comparative grinding experiments were carried out. The results show that changes of grinding parameters would affect traces length，spacing， quantity，position and distribution in cross grinding therefore influence the ground surface quality of the workpiece. In particular，the extend of phase shift affects position relationship of grinding traces from end-to-end to staggered and directly determines how the grinding marks are formed. It is one of the key factors affecting the ground surface quality.In addition，small difference of workpiece speed in grinding experiment generates significant variation in grinding traces distribution with distinguished surface texture and cracks on workpiece and discrepancy in surface roughness Ra values between 59 to 125 nm. Therefore，based on the influence of grinding parameters on the grinding traces distribution，the surface quality of workpiece could be greatly improved with reasonable matching of grinding process parameters.