A new approach to die shape optimal design in extrusion is presented. The approach consists of a FEM analysis model to predict the value of the objective function a design model to relate the die profile with the design variables and a genetic algorithm based optimaization procedure. The approach was described in detail with emphasis on our modified micro genetic algorithm. Comparison with theoretical solutions was made to examine the validity of the predicted optimal die shapes. The approach was then applied to revealing the optimal die shapes with regard to various objective functions including those for which the design sensitivities can not be deter-mined analytically.