The basic model and the experimental measurement method of short-distance time-of-flight absorption spectra for determining the temperature of cold atoms are described. Based on the realization of temperature measurement of cold cesium atoms in a magneto-optical trap，the influences of measurement errors of the three experimental parameters，namely the falling distance h，the initial Gaussian radius σ0 of the cold cloud, and the Gaussian radius σp of probe beam, on the determination of temperature have been analyzed and compared.