The effects of four extraction methods, which include hot water extraction, ultrasonic extraction, enzyme extraction and alkali extraction on the yield, structure and antioxidant activity of crude polysaccharide of lotus leaf were investigated. The results showed that the yields of polysaccharide were as follows: ultrasonic extraction＞ enzymatic extraction ＞hot water extraction＞alkali extraction. The polysaccharide extracted by four methods had four characteristic absorption peaks, including 3 388, 1 617, 1 400 and 1 137 cm^-1. The polysaccharides obtained by hot water extraction showed the best antioxidant capacity, but the extraction time was longer. In contrast, ultrasonic method is recommended with concerning about extraction time.