In order to reveal the response process of soil water content to different rainfall intensities under different land cover modes in Loess hilly region. This study selected the cultivated land and abandoned land in Fengjiagou small watershed of Shanxi Province as the research objects. Based on the observation data of rainfall and soil water content in hours from April to October 2019, the response of soil water content to different rainfall intensities was analyzed. The results showed that:(1) The influence depths of light rainfall, moderate rainfall, heavy rainfall and torrential rainfall on soil layer were 20, 20, 60 cm and 60 cm, respectively. The main form of rainfall-light rainfall had little effect on soil moisture in the study area. (2) During each rainfall intensity, except 0-10 cm soil layer, the soil water content of the cultivated land was higher than that of abandoned land, and the soil water content of each soil layer in the cultivated land changed significantly under heavy rainfall conditions, while the soil water content of abandoned land was only increased in 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers. (3) The content of soil water among soil layers had different response to rainfall, and the response of surface soil moisture was more responsive than that of the deep soil water content. The maximum average soil water content appeared in 50-60 cm soil layer in the cultivated land, while the abandoned land appeared in the 30-40 cm soil layer. (4) The soil water content of the cultivated land was higher than that of the abandoned land, indicating that appropriate crop planting in this region had a better role in storing soil moisture. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the efficient utilization of regional water resources and the prevention and control of soil erosion.