Microwave energy was applied to the extraction of functional catechins from grape seed. The solvent, absolute ethanol, reached the boiling point when exposed for less than 3 min microwave treatment at 100 W. The effects of independent variables in microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), including microwave power (0-160W, $X_1$), ethanol concentration (0-100%, $X_2$) and extraction time (1-5 min, $X_3$), were investigated on each response variable ($Y_n$), and the contents of catechin and its derivatives were determined via response surface methodology, thereby allowing us to predict their optimal extraction conditions. The predicted maximal values of (+)-catechin, procyanidin $B_2$, (-)-epicatechin, and (-)-epicatechin gallate were 137.99, 72.78, 222.38, and 9.59 mg%, respectively, under different MAE conditions. The predicted extraction conditions for maximum catechin responses were as follows: 104.10 W of microwave power, 45.35% of EtOH, and 4.89 min of extraction time for (+)-catechin (137.99 mg%), 133.16 W, 46.16% and 4.49 min for procyanidin $B_2$ (72.78 mg%), 136.00 W, 41.37% and 4.39 min for (-)-epicatechin (222.38 mg%), 143.20 W, 37.51% and 1.88 min for (-)-epicatechin gallate (9.59 mg%), respectively. The contents of (+)-catechin, procyanidin 1B2 and (-)-epicatechin in MAE were similarly influenced by three independent variables, whereas (-)-epicatechin gallate was influenced less profoundly by ethanol concentration and extraction time.