Objective This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between the red cell distribution width (RDW) and the one year outcomes in Chinese patients with stable angina pectoris. Methods A total of 1,442 patients with stable angina pectoris on admission were divided into four groups according to quartiles of the baseline RDW. The relationships between the RDW and one-year cardiac mortality as well as the incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were assessed. Results Higher RDW values were associated with an increased one-year cardiac mortality (quartile 1: 0.51%; quartile 2: 0.56%; quartile 3: 0.86%; quartile 4: 2.27%; p<0.001) and one-year ACS (quartile 1: 1.55%; quartile 2: 1.96%; quartile 3: 2.89%; quartile 4: 3.70%; p<0.001). A logistic regression analysis revealed that the RDW independently predicted cardiac mortality (OR: 1.544, 95% CI: 1.058-3.216, p<0.001) and ACS (OR: 1.861, 95% CI: 1.226-3.487, p<0.001) during a one-year follow-up in patients with stable angina pectoris. Conclusion The present study indicates that an elevated RDW value is associated with an increased risk of one-year adverse outcomes in patients with stable angina pectoris.