Lead free $(Na_{0.5}K_{0.47}Cd_x)NbO_3$ ceramics (x=0.015-0.005) were prepared by the conventional mixed oxide route. The effects of CdO addition on the sintering, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the samples were examined. The addition of CdO greatly enhanced the sinterability of ceramics and the sample has a lower dielectric loss. The $k_p;and;Q_m$ of the samples with 0.02 mol CdO addition are 0.35 and 125, respectively, The $(Na,K)NbO_3$ ceramics show a large degradation of $k_p$ due to the deliquescence when exposed to humidity, while the $(Na,K,Cd)NbO_3$ ceramics have no a significant degradation of it.