5 at%Yb3+:YNbO4 crystal is grown by Czochralski(CZ) method. Its transmission and emission spectra are measured. The absorption peaks are located at 933, 955, 974 and 1003 nm with their corresponding absorbtion cross section values 0.7310-20, 1.8510-20, 0.8610-20 and 0.4410-20 cm2; and the FWHM of 955 nm absorbtion peak is 17 nm. Its emission band centered at 1020 nm with the FWHM is 41 nm, which is over three times that of Yb3+:YAG crystal. The emission cross section values of 955, 974, 1005, 1021 and 1030 nm peaks are calculated to be 0.6910-20, 0.8610-20, 1.8110-20, 1.1110-20 and 0.5710-20 cm2, respectively, and the biggest one is comparable to that of Yb3+:YAG crystal. The laser parameters of 5 at% Yb3+:YNbO4 crystal are evaluated and the results suggest that it is a potential all-solid-state pumped laser crystal in tunable and ultrafast lasers field.