檀香科约45属约1400种，广泛分布在全球热带和温带地区。中国有10余属约30种，分布在全国各地。

本科植物为灌木、草本，稀为小乔木，多为寄生或半寄生植物，叶互生或对生，全缘，有的种类退化为鳞片；花淡绿色，两性或单性，辐射对称，单生或排成各式花序，无花瓣，花萼为花瓣状，肉质，裂片3－6；果实为核果或坚果。最重要的白檀（Santalum album L.）木材干燥后可以作为药材和香料，成为檀香，所以白檀也叫檀香树；槲寄生在英语国家的文化中有重要作用。

1981年的克朗奎斯特分类法单独分出槲寄生科和尖苞树科，都列在檀香目下，1998年根据基因亲缘关系分类的APG 分类法将这三科合并为本科。

The Santalaceae, sandalwoods, are a widely distributed family of flowering plants (including small trees, shrubs, perennial herbs, and epiphytic climbers) which, like other members of Santalales, are partially parasitic on other plants. Its flowers are bisexual or, by abortion ("flower drop"), unisexual. Modern treatments of the Santalaceae include the family Viscaceae (mistletoes), previously considered distinct.