[Objective] The temporal and spatial characteristics of the dominant transformation of cultivated land use in Henan Province was analyzed in order to provide a scientific basis for the rational and optimal allocation and sustainable utilization of cultivated land in the main intensive grain producing areas in the north. [Methods] We interpreted data from five Landsat TM images from 2000 to 2020 to construct contribution degree, range, and speed models of cultivated land use change. Temporal and spatial change characteristics of cultivated land quantity and spatial form were quantitatively described from the dominant perspective. Spatial visualization was carried out with the help of “3S” means. [Results] ① From 2000 to 2020, the quantity and form of cultivated land use transformation in Henan Province experienced a drastic transformation process. The net decrease in cultivated land was 5 609.93 km², a decrease of 22.78%. ② The change range of cultivated land use transformation in Henan Province was the greatest from 2015 to 2020. ③ The spatial form of cultivated land presented a distribution characteristic of outward diffusion with Zhengzhou City as the center. The greatest change in cultivated land use was observed in Central Henan Province, with the least change in Western Henan Province. Changes in Northern, Southern, and Eastern Henan Province were characterized as moderate. [Conclusion] The spatio-temporal characteristics of the explicit transformation of cultivated land use in Henan Province from 2000 to 2020 had obvious consistent differences. Greater attention must be given to the quantity of cultivated land use transformation and the range of cultivated land use transformation in the Central Henan Province.