Purpose:　This　paper　aims　to　study　the　influence　degree　of　three　factors　affecting　the　vibration　amplitude　of　aerostatic　spindle　and　optimizes　each　factor.　Design/methodology/approach:　The　vibration　amplitude　of　the　spindle　is　characterized　according　to　internal　structure　and　operating　characteristics　of　aerostatic　spindle.　The　radial　and　axial　vibration　models　of　aerostatic　spindle　were　established　by　the　spring-damper　system.　The　influence　degree　of　main　influencing　factors　on　the　spindle　vibration　amplitude　was　investigated　through　correlation　analysis.　Findings:　The　results　indicate　that　the　crucial　factor　is　aerostatic　spindle　speed　and　experiments　validated　that　increasing　spindle　speed　can　enhance　spindle　stability.　The　influence　of　three　factors　on　radial　vibration　is　greater　than　that　on　axial　vibration.　Finally,　the　values　of　optimal　working　parameters　were　obtained　by　genetic　algorithm.　Originality/value:　The　method　in　this　article　can　effectively　predict　aerostatic　spindle　vibration　amplitude　and　perfect　the　stability　of　aerostatic　spindle.　©　2022,　Emerald　Publishing　Limited.