BackgroundHigh serum uric acid (SUA) is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Abnormal SUA have been correlated with a significant increase in mortality. Anemia is an independent predictor of mortality and CVD. To date, no study has investigated the relationship between SUA and anemia. Here, we explored the correlation between SUA and anemia in the American population.MethodsThe cross-sectional study involved 9205 US adults from NHANES (2011–2014). The relationship between SUA and anemia was explored using multivariate linear regression models. Two-piecewise linear regression model, generalized additive models (GAM) and smooth curve fitting were performed to explore the non-linear relationships between SUA and anemia.ResultsWe found a U-shaped non-linear relationship between SUA and anemia. The inflection point of the SUA concentration curve was 6.2 mg/dL. The ORs (95% CIs) for anemia on the left and right of the inflection point were 0.86 (0.78–0.95) and 1.33 (1.16–1.52), respectively. The 95% CI of inflection point was 5.9-6.5 mg/dL. The findings showed that both genders presented a U-shaped correlation. Safe ranges of SUA in men and women were 6-6.5 and 4.3–4.6 mg/dL, respectively.ConclusionsBoth high and low SUA levels were correlated with increased risk of anemia, and a U-shaped relationship was observed between SUA and anemia.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-023-03291-y.