This paper proposed a Topological Steric Effect Index (TSEI) of a group based on the relative specific volume of the reaction center screened by the atoms of the substituents. Investigated results show good correlations between the parameter TSEI and the dihedral angles between both phenyl rings determined by photoelectron spectroscopy for 7 alkylbiphenyl compounds and calculated by a molecular mechanics force field for 78 alkylbiphenyl compounds, whose correlation coefficients are 0.9912 and 0.9845, respectively. The TSEI value of the group is easily calculated and has a clear physical meaning. In addition, it is correlated well to dihedral angles of the 1,2-disubstituted benzene compounds, stereoselectivity of organomagnesium compounds addition to some cyclohexanones and cyclopentanones, and the relative rates of some SN2 reactions.