The absorption property of one-dimensional photonic crystals with defect layer by the approach of transmission matrix is studied. In the photonic crystals, the medium layers are nonmetal, and the defect layer is metal. The relationship between absorption of real material and wavelength is given out, and then the absorption property of the photonic crystals is studied systematically, which is made up of arbitrary material. The effects of the incident angle, the refractive index of defect layer, the refractive index of medium layer, the thickness of medium layer and the periodic structure on the absorption property in the one-dimensional photonic crystals are given. Some valuable results are obtained. By adjusting the parameters of the photonic crystal, the affect of these parameters on the absorption property of the photonic crystals is found, which provides important theoretical basis for the design and preparation of photonic crystals.