Abstract: With the consideration of the second order effect of the structure，the calculated internal forces and displacement are both larger than the results obtained from the first order analysis． While dealing with the same load and the same geometric conditions of a structure，if the first order analysis method is used to calculate the structure drift，the result would meet the allowable drift values in Code for Design of Steel Structure ( GB 500172003) ，but if the second order analysis is used，the structure drift may not meet the allowable values． So it is necessary to add relevant content for drift limits considering second-order effect． This paper researched the reasonable peak drift limits of steel frame considering the second-order effect，the second-order peak drift limits of steel frames was given by using reliability theory and the analysis method used in present standard． Which would provide a reference for revision of the code and engineering uses．