Crystals of 4-aminobenzamide have been grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The cell parameters were confirmed from powder X-ray diffraction technique. Vibrational modes of the functional groups were identified and studied by recording FTIR spectrum. Thermal decomposition nature of the crystal was studied in the thermal analysis. Optical transparency was tested by recording UV-VIS-NIR spectrum and also the band gap energy was calculated. Frequency conversion property of the crystal was tested by using Kurtz and Perry power technique and the relative conversion efficiency is 4 times greater than urea. Static and dynamic hyperpolarizability values were calculated to confirm the suitability of the crystal for nonlinear applications. Dielectric property was studied at various frequencies. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.