The control of the weld bead shape is important in laser welding of the small parts. The effects of laser welding parameters on the weld bead shape in the pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of STS 304L material were investigated. Shielding gas type, flow rate, pumping voltage, pulse frequency, pulse width, focal position and overlap distance were selected as laser welding parameters. Experiments were designed and conducted using the Taguchi method which was a statistical experimental method. The weld bead width, penetration, area and aspect ratio were measured and analysed as the weld bead shape properties and the welding parameters were optimized to maximize the weld aspect ratio. Weld aspect ratio were greatly affected by the pulse width, pumping voltage and pulse frequency, and somewhat by the overlap distance, and little by the shielding gas type, flow rate and focal position. A confirmation experiment were conducted using the optimized welding parameters.