[Objective] The differences in soil erodibility between alpine grassland and alpine meadow in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were determined, in order to provide important reference for soil erodibility in alpine grassland. [Methods] 18 change factors were selected as potential influencing factors of soil erodibility for grassland and meadow. Principal component analysis, stepwise regression analysis, and path analysis were used to determine the main influencing factors of soil erodibility in order to select the key factors. [Results] The soil erodibility of alpine grassland was mainly affected by soil particle size and aggregate characteristics. Soil erodibility of alpine meadow was mainly affected by particle size and pore distribution, organic matter, aggregate characteristics, and permeability. The key factors of soil erodibility in alpine grassland were as follows: silt, mean weight diameter (MWD), aggregate size > 2 mm processing damage rate (PAD_>2), and aggregate size > 0.25 mm processing damage rate (PAD_>0.25). The key factors of soil erodibility in alpine meadow were as follows: silt, clay, aggregates size > 1 mm processing damage rate (PAD_>1), and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. [Conclusion] Grassland and meadow soil showed great differences in particle mechanical composition, organic matter content, water content, and so on. The state of meadow soil was more suitable for vegetation development.