The cadmium in sample was extracted with dilute nitric acid and determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The parameters obtained from the test, such as curve linear range, detection limit, quantitative detection limit, accuracy, difference between the measurement station, reproducibility and stability, were validated. The result showed that the linear correlation coefficient of the standard curve was 0.999 8, detection limit 0.001 31 mg/L, quantitative detection limit 0.004 40 mg/L, accuracy, difference between the measurement station, reproducibility and stability accorded with GB/T 5009.15-2003 and other standards and requirements. The detection for a sample need less than 15 min, can meet the needs of rapid detection cadmium content in paddy.