Most of joining processes for machine and steel structure are performed by butt and fillet welding. The mechanical properties and fatigue strength of their welding zone can be effected largely by the differential of generated heat and changes of grain size according to thickness of material and number of passes in welding process. In this study, it was investigated about characteristics of fatigue failure according to thickness of material and number of passes in cruciform fillet weld zone as the basic study for safe and economic design of welding structures. Fracture modes in cruciform fillet weld zone are classified into toe failure and root failure according to non-penetrated depth. It can be accomplished economic design of welding structures considering fatigue strength when the penetrated depth in fillet weld zone is controled properly.