The optical absorption spectra of Cd(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O doped Ni2+ at 300 and 80 K was recorded. The Dq, B and C parameters at 300 and 80 K are calculated and the transitions are assigned. The fine structure of Cd(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O doped Ni2+ are observed at 80 K from the well resolved double peaked red band. Finally, the matrices for the energy levels with spin orbit coupling are diagonalised and the experimental values were fitted with the theoretically calculated values. The oscillator strengths of the transitions were computed from the area under the curves. The best fit was obtained for the values of the crystal field parameters Dq = 892cm-1, B = 940cm-1,C = 3760cm-1 and λ = - 260cm-1 at 300 K and Dq = 922cm-1, B = 955cm-1, C=4202cm-1 and λ=-275cm-1 at 80K respectively. © 1987.