-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KJr5LfhNforKFhkn0wlQorD501b0TpeoNWcpe6FB3iCMa0VHaAdSNW6ikbsdz9mu
 R6gCTlGrvG5ugUAUimoyJw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-08-018894.txt : 20081103
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-08-018894.hdr.sgml : 20081103
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081103180452
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-08-018894
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081031
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081103
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081103

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AXT INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001051627
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				943031310
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4281 TECHNOLOGY DR.
		CITY:			FREMONT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94538
		BUSINESS PHONE:		510.438.4735

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4281 TECHNOLOGY DR.
		CITY:			FREMONT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94538

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN XTAL TECHNOLOGY
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19971217

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			YOUNG MORRIS S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001078582

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24085
		FILM NUMBER:		081158686

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5106385900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4281 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
		CITY:			FREMONT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94538
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-10-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001051627</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AXT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AXTI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001078582</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>YOUNG MORRIS S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4281 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FREMONT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94538</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-10-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15723</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>755793</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents grant of restricted stock award which vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Morris S. Young, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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