Due to the resonant absorption of interference infrared filters at high power density laser radiation, the laser damage properties of such coatings are significantly different from the high reflective coatings and antireflective coatings. In order to understand the damage behavior of this type of coatings, a series of experiments have been done. The damage threshold for several infrared filters composed of multilayer of ZnS/MgF 2 were determined by irradiation from Nd∶YAG laser. The absorption measurements of such coatings have been performed by the surface thermal lensing (STL) technique. The relationship between damage morphology and damage growth has been studied in detail. The empirical data is compared to theoretical predictions. The interesting phenomena are that most of the initial damage occurs not at the surface layers but inside of the multilayer films, where ZnS is sublimed to form many little air bubbles. Using the electric distribution and temperature field distribution theoretical calculating, the explanation is given. It is concluded that the laser damage properties of such infrared filters are in agreement with theoretical prediction.