A surface acoustic wave method for the evaluation of small fatigue crack initiated from a pit-type surface flaw is presented. In-situ ultrasonic experiments are performed for aluminum 2024-T3 alloy samples under the fatigue test. During the fatigue test, the surface acoustic wave reflection signal from the pit and crack is measured under different hold-stress levels. From the measured and predicted surface wave reflections the depths of fully and partially open cracks are determined and results are verified by comparing with SEM fractography The crack opening behavior of the fatigue crack is evaluated from the predicted effective crack depths. The method developed in this study can be applied to monitor and characterize crack initiation and propagation from pit-type surface flaws in the early stage of fatigue life.