Based on the statistical data of Shandong manufacturing industry from 2010 to 2018, the coupling coordination degree of internal and external R&D was measured by the coupling coordination degree model of physics, and the impact of internal and external R&D coupling on manufacturing upgrading was investigated. The results show that the coupling of internal and external R&D has a positive impact on manufacturing upgrading, and in different factor-intensive manufacturing industries, the impact of internal and external R&D coupling on manufacturing upgrading is different.