The strain distribution on a welded aluminum alloy transition joint produced by a static tensile load has been measured using a moire method combined with photoelastic coating method. The test specimens were made of aluminum alloy 6061-T6 and 2014-T6 butt welded with ER-4043 filler metal, and were post welded heat treated (solid solution heat treatment 502.deg. C 70min.) and precipitated (artificial aging 171.deg. C 600min.) to cause an abrupt change of mechanical properties between the base metals and weld metal. The photoelastic epoxy rubber was cemented on the specimen grating which had been reproduced on the specimen surface by using an electropolishing. The measurements were compared with strains computed by Finite Element Analysis. The following results were abtained. (1) The maximum strain were distributed along the center line in the transverse directiion of the weld metal. (2) The strain gradient along the fusion line increased approaching the V-groove tip and the maximum value was observed at a quarter of width from the V-groove tip. (3) The moire method combined with photoelastic coating was proved very useful for real time strain measurement in the welded aluminum alloy transition joint.