Creep damage using a reference stress(RS) was analyzed for type 316LN stainless steel. The generalized K-R equation was reconstructed into the RS equation using a critical stress value $sigma$. The RS equation was derived from the critical stress in failure time $t_f$ instead of material damage parameter $omega$, which indicates the critical condition of collapse or approach to gross instability of materials during creep. For obtaining the reference stress, a series of creep tests and tensile tests were conducted with at 55$0^{circ}C$ and $600^{circ}C$. The stress-time data obtained from creep tests were applied to the RS equations to characterize the creep damage of type 316LN stainless steel. The value of creep constant r with stress levels was about 18 at 55$0^{circ}C$ and 21 at $600^{circ}C$. This value was almost similar with r = 24 in the K-R equation, which was obtained by using damage parameter $omega$. Relationship plots of creep failure strain and life fraction $(t_f /t_r)$ were also obtained with different λ values. The RS equation was therefore more convenient than the generalized K-R equation, because the measuring process to quantify the damage parameter $omega$ such as voids or micro cracks in crept materials was omitted. The RS method can be easily used by designers and plant operator as a creep design tool.