Single crystals of Nd-doped NaY(WO4)2 (Nd:NYW) were grown using the Czochralski technique. Crystal cracking and the presence of inclusions were found to be the main problems associated with the growth of crystals. Thermal expansion measurements were carried out on as-grown crystal samples that were cut perpendicular to the growth direction and had different amounts of inclusions. Differential thermal analysis was also carried out on these same samples. The amount of inclusions present in the Nd:NYW crystal was found to affect the thermal characteristics of the crystal. The role of impurity phases in the Nd:NYW lattice during growth is discussed on the basis of obtained results. The inclusions present in the crystal are found to produce excessive strain in the lattice, which ultimately results in cracking of the crystal. © 2011 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.