The effects of drip irrigation frequency on soil physical and chemical indicators and cotton yield under subsoiling were studied, which provided a theoretical basis for optimizing the drip irrigation system in cotton fields of Xinjiang. In this study, three different drip irrigation frequencies (4 days/times, 7 days/times and 10 days/times, respectively) and 3 600 m³/hm² as the total irrigation amount were selected. The experiment was carried out under the mechanical subsoiling of 40 cm from May to September of 2016 and 2017 in the Tarim Basin. The soil bulk density, compaction, water content, salt content and yield components in 0-60 cm soil layer of cotton field were determined and analyzed. The results showed that during the growth period of cotton, the soil bulk density in 0-40 cm soil layer showed a trend of 10 days/times > 4 days/times > 7 days/times, and in 40-60 cm soil layer the value of the 4 days/times treatment was slightly higher. The soil bulk density and compaction of 0-60 cm soil layer were maintained at a low level in 7 days/times treatment. Under different soil depths, the soil water content of 7 days/times treatment maintained at a higher level during every growth period. The average value in two years was 14.1% and 18.0% higher that of 4 days/times and 10 days/times treatment, respectively. In the 0-60 cm soil layer, the soil salinity during the growth period was 4 days/times > 7 days/times > 10 days/times treatment. With the decreasing of drip irrigation frequency, the peak of soil salinity decreased gradually, and an obvious salt accumulation area was formed at the depth of 20-40 cm. Under different drip irrigation frequencies, the number of bolls per plant, single boll weight and seed cotton yield were the highest in 7 days/times treatment, and the lowest in 4 days/times treatment. Compared with 4 days/times and 10 days/times treatment, the average seed cotton yield in two years in 7 days/times treatment was increased by 12.1% and 10.0%, respectively. Therefore, moderate drip irrigation frequency (7 days/times) was conducive to maintaining the favorable soil cultivation environment and suitable water and salt environment for crop growth, which could promote the formation of cotton yield.