Based on analysis of geotectonic settings in northwestern China, and Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary basin formation, this study divided this area into three tectonic types, intraplate platform, plate margin fold orogenic belt, and plate margin intermediate zone types. The sandstone-type uranium ore have obvious selectivity to sedimentary formation type of the basin: its primary deposition is one grey rock layer formed under warm-damp climate condition. The Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary basins in northwestern China can form sequences which contain sandstone-type uranium ores or ore-bearing formations are mainly Mid-Lower Jurassic System (J_1-2) and Upper Cretaceous System (K₂).