One-dimensional photon counting detector with vernier position sensitive anode is reported. The decode principle and design of vernier position sensitive anode are described in detail. An ultraviolet photon counting system was built based on one-dimensional photon counting detector with vernier position sensitive anode. One-dimensional coordinates of single-photon events can be simultaneously measured when the detection system works in photon counting mode. The spatial distribution of pulse counts, which corresponds to one-dimensional spatial distribution of incident light intensity, was obtained. The resolution of this system is better than 100 mμ according to the resolution test. The detector can detect one-dimensional spatial distribution of the intensity of very weak particle flow such as high-energy photons, electrons and ions flow, so it can be used for deep space exploration, spectral measurement, high-energy physics and bio-luminescence detection.