A two-dimensional semi-analytical thermal model (SATM) is presented, aiming to quickly and accurately achieve global temperature distribution predicting and hot spot monitoring for interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM). Thereby, it provides a reliable analysis tool for thermal behavior evaluation and prevents undesired consequences induced by excessive temperature rise, which is of great worth and significance in promoting the flourishing of IPMSM. SATM combines the analytical method, lumped parameter thermal network, and finite element analysis to obtain an analytical solution for thermal behavior through mathematical derivation by considering the complicated configuration, heat source distribution, heat dissipation condition, and material thermal dependence. Through SATM, it is possible to observe the global temperature distribution as well as the location and size of hot spots in each element. The temperature distribution gradient on the static is more pronounced than that on the dynamic; secondly, the area with the most severe heating is mainly found on the winding; furthermore, the hot spot on the winding is mainly located a little bit inside the center. Moreover, the thermal behavior of IPMSM at rated load is investigated by numerical analysis and experiments. A comprehensive comparison with SATM is done. The computational deviations between SATM and numerical analysis regarding the hot spot, minimum, and average temperatures on each element are all within 4.06 %. However, SATM consumes only 20.92 % of the time and 68.29 % of the storage of the numerical analysis. The measured data also fully prove the reliability and validity of the comparison. It is certain that SATM can well break through the limitation of the existing non-numerical technique to quickly and accurately achieve global temperature distribution predicting and hot spot monitoring of IPMSM. It provides researchers and engineers engaged in thermal behavior evaluation with good analysis means, design guidance, and optimization direction.