This paper details the application of Taguchi technique to determine the optimal process parameters for submerged arc welding (SAW).A planned experimental work has been carried out on semiautomatic submerged arc welding machine and signal to noise ratios are computed. Contribution of each factor is validated by analysis of variance(ANOVA). The results of the present investigation indicate that the welding voltage in the most significant parameter that controls the bead penetration as compared to other controlling parameters. The contribution of voltage, current trally speed and nozzle-to-plate distance are respectively: 60.8%, 9.86%, 3.54% and 13.8%. optimum results have been obtained by using 26V, 475A at a trolly speed of 0.25 and NPD OF 16 mm.