This experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary vitamin A level on performance and egg quality of laying hens in winter. A total of 525 healthy Hy-line laying hens were randomly divided into 5 treatments with 5 replicates per treatment and 21 hens per replicate. Hens in the control group were fed a basal diet (contained 8 000 IU/kg vitamin A), and the others in experimental groups were fed diets which contained 10 500, 13 000, 15 500 and 18 000 IU/kg vitamin A, respectively. All groups had the same level of other vitamins. The experiment lasted for 42 days. The results showed as follows: 1) compared with the control group, the egg production and laying rate in experimental groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), but the ratio of feed to egg (F/G) was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The egg production, laying rate and F/G showed a quadratic equation change with dietary vitamin A level increasing (P<0.05). Dietary vitamin A level had no significant effects on feed intake, egg weight and the rate of broken eggs (P>0.05). 2) With dietary vitamin A level increasing, the eggshell hardness showed linear and quadratic equation changes (P<0.05), and the eggshell proportion showed a quadratic equation change (P<0.05). Dietary vitamin A level had no significant effects on egg shape index, eggshell thickness, albumen height, yolk color, Haugh unit and yolk proportion (P>0.05). 3) Dietary vitamin A level had no significant effect on component of eggs (P>0.05). In conclusion, dietary vitamin A level from to 10 500 to 15 500 IU/kg can obtain the best performance and egg quality of laying hens in winter.