[Objective] The change in cultivated land use patterns in Yunnan Province was studied from multiple perspectives, and the risk level of cultivated land use was divided to inform protection policies and management strategies to provide a reference for the protection of cultivated land in other areas. [Methods] Utilizing land use survey data from 2011 and 2021, and adopting a quantity-quality-ecology tripartite perspective, we comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of changes in cultivated land use patterns by employing landscape indices and the pressure-state-response (PSR) model. Based on the state-space model, we categorized the risk levels of cultivated land use. [Results] ① Regional variations were observed in the changes of cultivated land quantity in Yunnan Province from 2011 to 2021, with districts and counties exhibiting significant changes and displaying a distribution pattern characterized by 'overall scattered and local aggregation.’ ② The average soil layer thickness of cultivated land decreased, the content of soil organic matter and cation exchange capacity increased, and the patch density (PD) of cultivated land increased by 1.251; aggregation index (AI) and mean shape index (MSI) decreased by 5.672% and 0.055, respectively, indicating that the degree of farmland fragmentation increased, agglomeration weakened, and patch shape tended to be regular. ③ The overall level of ecological security of cultivated land declined, revealing a spatial pattern of 'high in the south, low in the north, polarized in the middle.’ Based on the dynamic changes in cultivated land, we conducted risk zoning for cultivated land use in Yunnan Province and proposed regulatory suggestions. [Conclusion] Northeast, southwest, and central Yunnan are hotspots for cultivated land change in Yunnan Province. Although soil quality across the province has improved, soil fragmentation has intensified. The ecological security level of cultivated land has shown a downward trend, necessitating precise management tailored to local conditions and risk zones.