Laser shock peening is useful to improve fatigue characteristic of multiple number of metals and alloys. This process induces a compressive residual stress on the metal surface, and when tensile load is applied, growth of crack is delayed and which changes the characteristic of the metal surface. It is an innovative surface treatment technique for strengthening metals. Specimens of SM45C are used in this study. The effect of an inertial tamping layer on the residual stress field using laser shock peening setup and Nd:YAG laser power is evaluated. Residual stress distribution measured by X-ray diffraction. As a result of this study it can be presented that following condition of Nd:YAG laser power and inertial tamping layer parameters, compressive residual stress is generated on the surface of the SM45C. Results to experimental data indicate that laser shock peening has great potential as a means of improving the mechanical performance of the metal surface.