Cavity defects of low-pressure lost foam casting (LP-LFC) for magnesium alloy were investigated by using ladder samples and claviform samples.The physical feature of typical cavity defects of LP-LFC for magnesium castings had been tested by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. And the chemical constitution of cavity surface was also tseted by energy spectrometer. The result indicated that the cluster cavity defects were formed with the application of higher vacuum at the metal-mold interface, which caused the liquid-EPS residue in the castings. Some irregular shape cavity defects were caused by slag entrapment or coating slough. These cavity defects could be avoided through reducing pouring temperature, filling velocity and vacuum level, improving the permeability of coating.