[Objective] The spatial-temporal variation of carbon emissions from cultivated land for the urban belt along the Yellow River in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2020 was analyzed, and the ecological efficiency was evaluated in order to provide support for the construction of a low-carbon agricultural model, the promotion of agricultural carbon emission reduction, and the promotion of high-quality agricultural development in the region. [Methods] A model to estimate carbon emission from cultivated land and ArcGIS calculations were used to analyze the temporal and spatial characteristics of carbon emissions from cultivated land in the urban belt along the Yellow River in Ningxia. The unexpected output super-efficiency SBM (slacks-based-measure) model was used to evaluate the ecological efficiency of cultivated land. [Results] ① Total carbon emissions from cultivated land in the urban belt along the Yellow River in Ningxia showed an overall downward trend from 2011 to 2020. Chemical fertilizer and agricultural diesel were the primary sources of carbon emission from cultivated land. ② Carbon emissions from cultivated land in the urban belt along the Yellow River in Ningxia showed a spatial distribution pattern of higher in the north and south and lower in the middle. Pingluo and Zhongning County were the largest cultivated land carbon emission cities. ③ The trend of carbon emission intensity of cultivated land in the urban belt along the Yellow River in Ningxia was similar to that of cultivated land. ④ The ecological efficiency of cultivated land use in the urban belt along the Yellow River in Ningxia fluctuated in general, and the ecological efficiency of cultivated land in the Litong area was low. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the input factors in the agricultural production process. [Conclusion] The spatial and temporal distribution of carbon emissions from cultivated land in the urban belt along the Yellow River in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is uneven, and the eco-efficiency could be unstable. Further exploration and consolidation of emission reduction measures are needed.