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The natural bioactive components and antioxidant capacity of leaves and petioles from four celery cultivars (“Benqin”, “Western”, “Baoqin”, and “Majiagou”) were compared and correlated through a nontargeted metabolomics analysis and partial least squares regression (PLS) analysis. A total of 18, 12, and 5 antioxidant components in the celeries investigated showed significant (P < 0.05) positive correlations with the DPPH and O2∙ – free radical scavenging activities and ferric ion reducing power (FRP), respectively. Apiin, apigenin, rutin and α-ionone (standard partial least square regression coefficients of 0.064–0.071) made the largest contributions to the DPPH scavenging activity, while oleic acid, α-linolenic acid, pantothenic acid, and vitamin E succinate (coefficients of 0.084–0.110) made the largest contributions to the O2∙ – scavenging activity. Comparing the levels of major antioxidants and antioxidant capacity in four celery leaves and petioles showed that celery leaves were a better source of natural antioxidants and scavenging free radicals than petioles. Among the leaves, “Majiagou” celery leaves contained the most types, and highest (P < 0.05) levels, of natural antioxidants (especially vitamins, flavonoids, and unsaturated fatty acids), resulting in the largest O2∙ – scavenging activity. Among the petioles, “Baoqin” and “Benqin” celery petioles contained the most types, and highest (P < 0.05) levels, of dominant antioxidants that were responsible for their larger O2∙ – and DPPH scavenging activities and FRP. These results provided a scientific basis for assessing the quality and application value of these four celery cultivars.