Gout is a common metabolic disorder with high heritability. We tried to explore the association between rs2231142 and gout. We searched "rs2231142 or Q141K and gout" in four databases and scholar searching website until 1 June, 2013 and included data from 52,010 participants in meta-analysis and subgroup analysis. The T allele of rs2231142 was associated with increased gout susceptibility (odds ratio [OR] [95 % confidence interval (95 % CI)] = 1.73 [1.55-1.91], P < 0.001). It increased gout risk in Caucasians with OR (95 % CI) = 1.68 (1.50-1.87), P < 0.001; Asians with OR (95 % CI) = 1.93 (1.54-2.31), P < 0.001; Africans with OR (95 % CI) = 1.76 (1.15-2.36), P < 0.001; and New Zealand Pacific Islanders with OR (95 % CI) = 2.94 (1.72-4.15), P < 0.001, but not in New Zealand Maoris, with OR (95 % CI) = 1.12 (0.57-1.67), P = 0.061. No publish or other biases were observed. The T allele of rs2231142 was associated with increased risk of gout.