Abstract: In order to study cracking problem in multitrack laser-clad coating,model and method to measure the residual stress distributed along depth of laser-clad coating are established.Residual stress in the upper layer of multitrack overlapping laser-clad WF218 Nickle-based coating presents as tensile stress,while in the transition zone between coating and substrate,the residual stress presents as compressive stress.Test results show that this technique is helpful to characterize the residual stress distribution in laser-clad coating.