The laser beam hardening has been experimentally tried to find the hardened characteristics of STD11. Experiment was performed on the optimum hardening condition with 2kW $CO_2$ laser. The microstructure of the hardened layers was observed using the microscope. The hardened zones exhibits very high Vickers microhardness of 720 Hv, however, the deoxidation was observed under the surface of hardened area. The case depth of hardened zones is about 0.6mrn and case width is 4mm. FEM-simulation on laser surface hardening of STD11 steel are described. With the proper assumption of the absorbed energy density, the calculated case depth and width in 2 kW $CO_2$ laser hardening were in good agreement with the experimental result. It was found that there is optimum absorbed energy density of STD11.