Through sampling and analyzing of plasma optic signals of 400-600 nm emitted from partial-penetration laser welding processes, how the penetration depth is related to the welding parameter and the plasma optic signal is studied. Under the experimental conditions, the plasma optic signal has good response to variety of the weld penetration, and the signal's RMS value increases with the penetration in a quadratic curve mode. The inherent relation between the plasma optic signal and the penetration depth is also analyzed. It is also found that, between the two common parameters of laser power and welding speed, laser power has more influence on penetration while welding speed has more influence on weld width. The research results provide theoretic and practical bases for penetration real-time monitoring or predicting in partial-penetration laser welding. Through the sampling and analyzing of plasma optic signals from 400-600 nm emitted from partial-penetration laser welding processes, how the penetration depth is related to the welding parameters and the plasma optic signal is studied. Under the experimental conditions, the plasma optic signal has good response to variety of the weld penetration, and the signal's RMS value increases with the penetration in a quadratic curve mode. The inherent relation between the plasma optic signal and the penetration depth is also analyzed. It is also found that between the two common parameters of laser power and welding speed, laser power has more influence on penetration while welding speed has more influence on weld width. The research results provide theoretic and practical bases for penetration real-time monitoring or predicting in partial-penetration laser welding.