In order to improve the accuracy of 5axis machine tool, a geometric error detection method for rotary feed drive using laser interferometer is presented, which realizes geometry error measurement for rotary axis. This method can be implemented in general rotary feed drive such as AC table tilting type and BC tilting table type. Synchronized motion with linear axis and rotary axis is applied in the measurement. The dependence of traditional methods on rotary center coordinate can be avoided during the measurement. The constraints between the angular error of the linear axis and the geometric error of the rotation axis are deduced. The time cost of setup and measurement can be decreased guaranteeing with the measurement accuracy. Compensation and fast measurement are is realized on measurement of positioning error, resettle error and backlash in rotary axis. An experiment of geometric error measurement is conducted based on XKR50A 5axis machine tool. The accuracy of the rotary feed drive is largely improved after the compensation. The feasibility and engineering application of the method is proved.