Nickel doped zinc oxide (Zn1-x O, x=0wt%, 1 wt%, 2wt %) were synthesized via solid state reaction method. The structural and optical characterizations were carried out with the prepared samples. Structural characteristics were determined by X- ray diffraction method, Raman spectroscopic analysis. Optical property studies of the sample were done through the UV-VIS- spectral analysis. The structural studies confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of zinc oxide and the spectroscopic analysis shows a decrease in optical band gap from 3.37eV to 2.9eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]