Abstract: The safety margin criterion of nonlinear dynamic question of an elastic rotor system are given. A series of observing spaces were separated from integral space by resolving and polymerizing method. The stable-state trajectory of high dimensional nonlinear dynamic systems was got within integral space.According to international standard of rotor system vibration, energy limits of safety criterion were determined. The safety margin was calculated within a series of observing spaces by comparative positive-area criterion (CPAC) method. A quantitative example calculating safety margin for unbalance elastic rotor system was given by CPAC. The safety margin criterion proposed includes the calculation of current stability margin in engineering. This criterion is an effective method to solve quantitative calculation question of safety margin and stability margin for nonlinear dynamic systems.