From the provincial level, the incentive effect of digital finance on the improvement of regional innovation level was empirically by using fixed effect model, intermediary effect model and double difference method. The study finds that the incentive effect of digital finance on regional innovation level is more significant in the central and western regions and provinces with low urban factor endowments. Mechanism analysis shows that digital finance can improve regional innovation level through three channels : Enterprise innovation, Marketization level and Inflow of College Talents. Policy implications are put forward for relevant government departments to assess regional development conditions, improve regional innovation institutional mechanisms and expand the scope of financial services.