Weld quality of GMA welding processes is closely related to arc stability. Although many researches on arc stability have been performed, real-time estimation of arc stability has not been attempted. For instance, Mita proposed a off-line statistical method in which short circuiting and arcing time, and voltage and current wave forms were sampled to assess arc stability. But this method is not suitable to assess arc stability for GMA welder which employ inverter power source due to its controlled current and voltage wave forms. In this paper, the relationship between are stability and wire feed rate fluctuation is analyzed to propose new criterion for inverter power source. When arc voltage and arc current and arcing time are analyzed, we can assess arc stability only for short circuit transfer mode. When wire feed rate is analyzed, we can estimate arc stability udner the condition of spray transfer mode as well. Hence, the wire feed rate is chosen for monitoring process variable to cover possible metal transfer modes in GMAW. Through this research, it has been identified that arc stability in GMA welding processes is closely related to wire fed rate. When inverter power source is used, conventional statistical method of estimating arc stability, such as Mita index, is no longer valid due to its controlled voltage and current wave forms. Arc stability has been also examined in phase plane diagram.