To carry out a literature review of classification methods based on anatomical, physiological and histochemical characteristics of human masticatory muscle fibers. Search on PubMed, Web of Science, BBO (Brazilian Odontology Library), LILACS and MEDLINE databases using keywords in English without time restrictions. The most cited classification was Brooke and Kaiser’s (1970) histochemical method. Prevalence of type I, II, and IIB fibers: masseter muscle-35 to 72.8% (type I), 48 to 65% (type II), and 19.3 to 43.1% (type IIB); temporal muscle-27 to 75% (type I), 52 to 73% (type II), and 44.8 to 56.5% (type IIB); lateral pterygoid muscle-35 to 72.1% (type I) and 27 to 65% (type II); medial pterygoid muscle-37 to 64.5% (type I) and 33 to 56% (type II). There were differences between individuals with normal intermaxillary relationship and others with altered facial dimensions. Intermediate fibers ranged from 1% (temporal and masseter muscles) to 20% (medial pterygoid muscle) in normal dentition, and from 4% (temporal muscle) to 19% (masseter muscle) in denture wearers. As to the diameter, type I fibers (masseter muscle) ranged from 19 to 40 μm in men and from 27 to 45 μm in women; in the temporal muscle, type I fibers had a mean diameter of 44 μm; in the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles, type I fibers ranged from 29.3 to 42.1 μm. Comparatively, type I fibers had a greater diameter than intermediate and type II fibers.