PURPOSE: To provide an apparatus for forming an optical element and capable of sliding a holding shaft in high accuracy independently of the external force caused by the thermal deformation of a base, etc.

CONSTITUTION: This forming apparatus for optical element is composed of a forming chamber 8 having a pair of forming molds 1, 2, a housing 3 to fix the forming chamber 8, a holding shaft 5 slidably attached to the housing 3 and having one forming mold 2 at the tip end, a driving unit 14 to drive the holding shaft 5 in axial direction and a base 9 to fix the housing 3 and the driving unit 14. A connecting member 18 having a multidegree of freedom is placed between the housing 3 and the base 9.