We have studied electro-optic characteristics as a function of passivation thickness existing between common electrode and pixel electrodes in the fringe-field switching (FFS) mode using the LC with positive dielectric anisotropy. A steep increase in the transmission is observed with increase in the passivation layer from $0.29{mu}m$ to $1.09{mu}m$ and thereafter it almost saturates over the $1.09{mu}m$ of passivation layer. This saturation is mainly associated with correlation between transmittance at the center region of pixel electrode and at the center region between pixel electrodes. From the results, optimal thickness of passivation layer can be defined.