To improve the retrieval precision of 3D model with the complex surface, a new method based on curvedness feature was proposed. First, the sample points were obtained on the 3D model surface. The curvedness of these points was obtained by computing Gauss curvature and Mean curvature. The curvedness values showed properties of 3D model surface. Secondly, the centroid of the model was set as the center. The coordinate system in which two coordinate axes were the curvedness value and the Euclid distance between the random point and the center was constructed. The distribution matrix of curvedness feature was obtained by computing the statistical number of the sample points in the different Euclid distance. This distribution matrix was the feature descriptor of the 3D model. This descriptor had the property of rotation invariance and translation invariance, which could well reflect the geometric characteristics of complex surfaces. Finally, the similarity between different models was given by comparing the curvedness distribution matrix. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the accuracy of the 3D model retrieval, especially suitable for those models with complex surfaces.