Abstract Background The prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA) among Chinese children and adolescents is a significant public health concern. Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) is recognized as a reliable biomarker in predicting insulin resistance, a condition associated with various metabolic disorders. Nevertheless, research on the association between TyG and its obesity-related indices with HUA among children and adolescents in China is limited. Methods This study utilized data from the 2017 Chinese National Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Lactating Mothers. TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR were calculated based on participants’ fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and measured height, weight, and waist circumference. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess the relationships between TyG and its obesity-related indices with HUA in children and adolescents. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were constructed to compare the predictive power of these indicators. Furthermore, we conducted a stratified analysis based on sex and age. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to illustrate the dose–response relationship of TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR with HUA in children and adolescents. The sensitivity analysis included 1:1 propensity score matching with a caliper value of 0.02 and adjustments to the diagnostic criteria for HUA. Results After adjusting for all covariables, multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that the fourth quartiles of TyG (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14–1.54, P < 0.001), TyG-BMI (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.14–1.79, P = 0.002), TyG-WC (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.42–2.19, P < 0.001), and TyG-WHtR (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.66–2.21, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher odds of HUA, compared to the lowest quartile. Stratified analyses identified a significant interaction between sex and TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR. Compared to the first quartile, the highest quartile of TyG-BMI, TyG-WC and TyG-WHtR among male participants exhibited a stronger association with HUA(Male: TyG-BMI: OR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.28–2.59; TyG-WC: OR = 1.87, 95%CI: 1.31–2.67; TyG-WHtR: OR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.68–2.54). Conclusions This study identified a significant association between TyG and related obesity indices with HUA in children and adolescents in China. Furthermore, stronger associations of TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR with HUA were observed, particularly in males.