A method of evaluating the thermal focal length of nonlinear crystal via transmission spectrum of a swept cavity (TSSC) is presented. By recording the resonant point offset of the TSSC, the thermal focal length can be successfully measured. Furtherly, by distinguishing the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) laser and UV laser induced infrared absorption (ULIIRA), it is clear that the ULIIRA is the important factor which induces the thermal lens effect compared to the absorption of UV laser for MgO-doped periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate (MgO:PPSLT) crystal and it becomes serious with the increase of the generated UV laser. The ULIIRA coefficient measurement and thermal focal length evalution of MgO:PPSLT crystal can supply an useful reference for researchers to generate high quality UV laser and squeezed or entangled state of optical field by using MgO:PPSLT crystal. The presented method can also be used to precisely evaluate the thermal focal length of other nonlinear crystals.