The invention relates to a gradient multiple coating tool and a preparation method thereof, which belong to the technical field of metal cutters. The tool comprises a tool substrate with multiple coatings and is characterized in that the multiple coatings from top down comprise a ZrTiN coating, a ZrTiN and ZrN alternating gradient coating and a Ti transitional coating in turn. In the invention, the coatings are prepared by an arc coating process, the coated tool has the combined structural characteristics of the ZrN hard coating, the ZrTiN hard coating and the gradient coating, and thus, the hardness of the coatings and overall strength and impact resistance of the coatings are improved, the wear resistance of the coated tool is obviously improved and the service life of the tool is prolonged. The gradient coating tool is a novel composite ultra-hard coating tool.