This study was aimed at synthesizing and characterizing cerium-doped titania. Cerium-doped anatase titania powders were prepared by sol-gel process, with ammonium (IV) nitrate and titanium (IV) butoxide as the raw materials. The characteristics of pure $TiO_2$ and cerium-doped $TiO_2$ were investigated by XRD, TG/DTA, FE-SEM, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results of this study show that anatase type of $TiO_2$ was obtained in as-prepared and calcined $TiO_2$ and Ce-$TiO_2$ powder. A DTA curve was also observed as the crystallization temperature decreased with increasing cerium contents. We found that the crystallite size of the obtained anatase particles decreased from 55 nm to 25 nm and the particle size decreased with increasing cerium contents. Moreover, UV-vis spectra showed that anatase titania powders with various cerium contents effectively extend the light absorption properties to the visible region.