In this study, the surface of 40Cr steel was hardened by CO 2 Laser, and then the microstructural transformations and the hardness distributions of the laser surface hardened layer were observed. The experimental results showed the surface hardening layer was consisted of three parts, which is outmost surface layer of needle martensite, middle layer of martensite and remained pearlite, and transitory boundary layer. In hardness distributions, the surface hardeness of the surface hardening layer had Hv 800~1000, that was 2 to 4 times of matrix's hardness. The hardeness distribution of laser hardening layer that of surface layer hardened by general heat treatment.