The invention relates to an optimal filling thickness control method for coal gangue and belongs to agricultural reclamation methods for the coal gangue. The control method comprises the steps: under the condition of selected compacting equipment, firstly, determining critical layering thickness of the coal gangue, then, determining the optimal layering thickness according to an object function model with minimal total compacting times, and finally, calculating filling super high amount; and during construction, carrying out filling by adopting a strip stacking method, and controlling the quality of filling and compacting by adopting a leveling method. The method has the advantages that uniform-thickness layered filling is carried out, and thus, the filling effect is the best; and the uniformity is guaranteed to the maximum, the compacting times are reduced to the maximum, the instability and non-uniform settlement of the gangue are lowered, and the leveling of farmland is guaranteed. Critical thickness control is carried out; during the layered filling, the filling thickness cannot exceed critical thickness, so that the control method is the most effective control method for disadvantageous engineering characteristics of the gangue, and disadvantageous characteristics such as weathering, swelling-shrinkage, spontaneous combustion and corrosion of the gangue are effectively controlled. The filling cost of the coal gangue is reduced; and on one hand, the engineering quality is guaranteed, and on the other hand, the engineering cost is reduced.