The effects of risering design and alloying element on the formation of defects such as external depression, primary and secondary shrinkage cavity in gray cast iron were investigated. Two types of risering design for the cylindrically step-wise specimen, No. 1(progressive solidification) and No. 2(directional solidification) risering designs, were prepared and five different alloy compositions were casted. In the No. 1 risering design, external depression or primary shrinkage cavity due to liquid contraction was observed in all the specimens from ISO 150 to ISO 350. The primary shrinkage cavity was located right under the top surface or connected to the top surface, and was characterized by smooth surface. Its size increased with an increase in ISO number. However, neither secondary shrinkage cavity nor swollen surface was observed in all the castings. In the No.2 risering design, neither primary shrinkage cavity nor secondary shrinkage cavity was observed in all the specimens due to proper risering design. A swollen surface was also not observed in all the castings with the application of pep-set mold.