The 1, 3-propanediol (1, 3-PD) production by fermentation with the crude glycerol from biodiesel production was investigated. The batch fermentation revealed that the 1, 3-PD quality conversion rate of the refined glycerol (purity>98%), crude glycerol A (purity>83%), B (purity>78%), and C (purity>68%) was 52.38%, 48.08%, 45.22% and 39.95%, respectively. The 1, 3-PD quality conversion rate of the refined glycerol, crude glycerol A, B, and C in fed-batch fermentation was 51.45%, 44.63%, 41.27% and 35.39%, respectively. The cost analysis showed that the employment of crude glycerol A and B could reduce the cost compared with the refined glycerol. However, the use of crude glycerol C could increased the cost compared with the refined glycerol.