A photographing optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, a third lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, and a fourth lens element having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface with both surfaces thereof being aspheric.