The range-dependent overlap factor of a lidar system can be determined experimentally if a Raman backscatter signal by molecule is measured in addition to the usually observed elastic backscatter signal, which consists of a molecular component and a particle component. The direct determination of the overlap profile is presented and applied to a lidar measurement according to variation of telescope field-of-view and distance between telescope and transmitting laser. The retrieval of extinction coefficient by Raman method can generate high errors for heights below planetary boundary layer if the overlap effect is ignored. The overlap correction method presented here has been successfully applied to experimental data obtained in Gwangju, Korea.