The roll gap set-up in the finishing mill is one of the most important technologies in the hot plate rolling process. As the target thickness can be obtained by the correct set-up of the roll gap, improving the roll gap set-up technology is very critical for plate thickness accuracy. The main cause of thickness variation in hot plate mills is the non-uniform temperature distribution along the length of the slab. The objective of this study is to adjust the roll gap set-up for the thickness accuracy of plate in hot rolling process considering top-end temperature drop. Therefore this study has concentrated on determining the correct amounts of thickness variation according to top-end temperature drop and roll gap to compensate thickness variation. The control method of roll gap set-up which can improve the thickness accuracy was proposed. The off-line simulation of compensated roll gap significantly decreases top-end thickness variation.