Multi-view face detection has become an active area for research in the last few years. In this paper, a novel multi-view human face detection algorithm based on improved real Adaboost is presented. Real Adaboost algorithm is improved by weighted combination of weak classifiers and the approximately best combination coefficients are obtained. After that, we proved that the function of sample weight adjusting method and weak classifier training method is to guarantee the independence of weak classifiers. A coarse-to-fine hierarchical face detector combining the high efficiency of Haar feature with pose estimation phase based on our real Adaboost algorithm is proposed. This algorithm reduces training time cost greatly compared with classical real Adaboost algorithm. In addition, it speeds up strong classifier converging and reduces the number of weak classifiers. For frontal face detection, the experiments on MIT+CMU frontal face test set result a 96.4% correct rate with 528 false alarms; for multi-view face in real time test set result a 94.7 % correct rate. The experimental results verified the effectiveness of the proposed approach.