Depth　sensing　indentation　is　a　powerful　testing　technology　used　to　quantitatively　characterize　the　mechanical　properties　of　asphalt　materials　at　different　scales.　Besides　hardness　and　Young＇s　modulus,　rich　micro　mechanical　properties　such　as　adhesion　and　stiffness　can　also　be　obtained　by　the　load-displacement　curve　from　the　depth　sensing　indentation.　Furthermore,　depth　sensing　indentation　provides　an　efficient　approach　to　investigate　the　mechanical　properties　of　aggregate,　asphalt　binder,　asphalt　mastic,　and　interface　zone　(ITZ)　without　separating　them　from　the　asphalt　mixture,　which　is　of　value　for　investigating　the　microstructure　properties　and　building　numerical　models　of　asphalt　mixture.　In　this　review,　the　key　theoretical　and　experimental　procedure　of　depth　sensing　indentation　are　discussed,　including　basic　principle,　analysis　method,　sample　preparation,　and　parameter　selection.　Moreover,　the　applications　of　depth　sensing　indentation　in　phase　and　ITZ　identification,　numerical　models,　aging,　moisture　susceptibility,　and　modifiers　investigation　of　asphalt　binder,　mastic,　and　mixture　are　concluded　in　detail.　The　challenges　for　the　applications　of　depth　sensing　indentation　on　asphalt　materials　are　also　presented　with　some　suggestions　for　further　development.　(C)　2020　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.