【Objective】 The objective of this study was to optimize straw returning method in wheat-maize double cropping system and to realize the coordinated improvement of system carbon efficiency and economic benefits, so as to promote the sustainable production of wheat-maize double cropping system. 【Method】Based on the long-term field experiment with 8 years of straw returning, this study analyzed the effects of wheat-maize straw returning (D) and single season wheat straw returning (S) on crop straw production and farmland carbon input, and identified the effects of different carbon inputs on wheat, maize, and annual yields, as well as yield stability and sustainability. The response characteristics of carbon efficiency and economic benefits to different carbon inputs in wheat-maize planting system were systematically analyzed. 【Result】 (1)The average annual straw returning quantity of D and S was 13.54 and 5.43 t·hm^-2, respectively. The biomass of roots and stubble putting into farmland soil under D were about 3.04 and 2.14 t·hm^-2, respectively, with no significant difference compared with S (P>0.05). The carbon input of root, root stubble and root exudates under S was 1.34, 0.97 and 1.35 t·hm^-2, respectively, which showed no significant difference compared with D (P>0.05). (2) The input of agricultural resources and management carbon under S was 1.73 t C·hm^-2, which was 51.29 kg C·hm^-2 less than that under D. The total carbon input under S and D were 9.00 and 12.30 t C·hm^-2, respectively, with a significant decrease of 26.82% (P<0.05). The difference of straw input was the main factor that caused the significant difference of farmland carbon input. The annual average straw carbon input under S was 2.31t C·hm^-2, which was 60.85% less than that under D. (3) The annual average maize yield under S was 7.29 t·hm^-2, which was 5.48% lower than that under D. The wheat yield under D (7.76 t·hm^-2) was 5.67% and 0.26% lower than that under S, respectively. However, the sum of wheat and maize yields under S was not significantly different from that under D. The annual yield stability and sustainability indexes under S were 0.19 and 0.63, respectively, which showed no significant difference compared with D (P>0.05). (4) The annual grain carbon production of S and D were 6.27 and 6.25 t C·hm^-2, respectively, and the plant carbon production were 15.96 and 15.74 t C·hm^-2, respectively. The carbon production efficiency and carbon ecological efficiency under S were 0.69 kg·kg^-1 and 1.77 kg·kg^-1, respectively, significantly increased by 60.47% and 39.37% compared with D (P<0.05). (5) In wheat season, the inter-annual average output value and inter-annual average net income under S were ¥18 900 and ¥7 200 per hectare, respectively, which showed no significant difference compared with D (P>0.05). In the maize season, the annual average output value and the annual average net income of S were ¥19 100 and ¥8 010 per hectare, respectively, which were increased by ¥3 880 and ¥3 990 compared with D, respectively. The annual interannual average output value and interannual average net income under S were ¥38 600 and ¥15 600 per hectare, with 14.81% and 51.54% higher than those under D, respectively. 【Conclusion】Under the premise of not significantly affecting the annual wheat - maize grain yield, stability and sustainability of crop production, the only wheat straw returning reduced the maize straw returning, and synergistic improved the carbon efficiency and economic benefit of wheat-maize double cropping system.