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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 Ygsxe9aA/m0UosBzSiTQPg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-08-018897.txt : 20081103
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-08-018897.hdr.sgml : 20081103
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081103180624
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-08-018897
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:			Low Raymond Anthony
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001391388

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24085
		FILM NUMBER:		081158701

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		925-736-1748

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		25 SHADOW TREE CT
		CITY:			DANVILLE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94506
</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>0001391388</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Low Raymond Anthony</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4281 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FREMONT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94538</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP Corporate Controller</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.59</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-10-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21450</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.59</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-10-31</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-10-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>21450</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>85750</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Vesting of each option commenced October 31, 2008, the date of grant, and continues over four years at the rate of 1/4 on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, and 1/48 per month thereafter.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Raymond A. Low</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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