Abstract: Dispersion properties, field distribution and propagation loss of symmetric and asymmetric metal clad waveguide at 1500nm were analyzed with effective index method. Simulation was given for Au, Ag and Cu cladding. In asymmetric clad guide simulation, properties of TE modes are the same as those of dielectric waveguide, TM0 mode is the surface mode at metal-dielectric interface with no cut-off. In symmetric clad guide simulation, TM0 mode is even mode which is coupling between surface modes at two metal-dielectric interface, and its effective index is beyond the index range of guide modes. The range of the effective index of TE mode and TM1 mode is larger than guide modes and TM1 mode is odd mode which is coupling between surface modes at two metal-dielectric interface.