A new on-line monitoring method based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) for cable tension of cable-stayed bridge was introduced. The major structure of sensing head using in the test of cable tension is elastic annular. The FBG is attached inflexibility to the exterior surface of annulus and form straight-through sensing head. Sensing head is installed between the anchor device and stow-board of funiculus holes of the cable-stayed bridge. Accompany with the change of the outside pressure, the Bragg center reflective wavelength of optical fiber grating changed correspondingly. According to this characteristic, through demodulating the Δλ, the value of the cable tension can be determined. The experiment results and the theory indicate that the test system has simple structure, good stability and linear, wide response capacity, and has no special request for tester. The measurement method for the test of cable tension is practical and effective.