The light absorption properties of Nd:YVO4 laser crystals at 808 nm were studied. The relationship between doped concentration and absorption coefficients was measured and calculated. Based on the transmission test, the absorption coefficients of Nd:YVO4 crystals were calculated. It is a determined value which is irrelevant to the pump power under the conditions of certain concentration and length of the crystal. The polarized π and σ absorption were calculated and the relationship between them was compared.