To evaluate the sustainability of available water resources for grain production in the Yellow River Basin, the theory of water footprint and virtual water was introduced to quantitatively analyze the water footprint of grain production and virtual water flow pattern associated with grain trade in the Yellow River Basin and estimate future water footprint of grain production in this area. The results showed that the total water footprint of grain production in the whole basin decreased from 46.0 billion m³ to 40.2 billion m³ from 2011 to 2016, while water footprint per unit of grain production decreased from 1.20.m³/kg to 0.93.m³/kg. According to virtual water flow associated with grain trade, the full-caliber grain virtual water in the Yellow River Basin decreased from 11.07 billion m³ in 2011 to 5.03 billion m³ in 2016, indicating a trend of grain input, especially the input of rice. Virtual water flow of other grains except rice increased from 8.26 billion m³ to 19.34 billion m³, indicating a trend of other grain output. By 2035, the total water footprint of grain production is expected to be 48.19 billion m³ to 51.87 billion m³ under different climatic scenarios. The green water footprint is expected to increase by 20%, while the increase of blue water footprint is insignificant. Therefore, it is concluded that the increase of grain output will aggregate the water resources stress in the Yellow River Basin, while the growth of irrigation water demand may slow down.