The specimen for laser hardening have been carried out using SM45C which is coated with black paint or graphite for better absorption. Segmented mirror was used in order to produce a square beam ($10{ imes}10mm$) at the surface with a homegeneous intensity distribution across the beam. $CO_2$-Laser power was changed from 2kW to 4kW and transfer velocity was varied from 0.1m/min to 2.0m/min. The maximum hardness and case depth of SM45C steel are 790Hv and 1.5mm by laser hardening. When the surface of specimens was melted during laser hardening. the surface hardness of SM45C steel was decreased. The surface hardness of 2 layer coated specimen(black paint: $15.4{mu}m$, graphite coating: $9.5{mu}m$) was increased than that of 1 layer coated specimen. It is desirable to prepare 2 or more coating layer on the steel surface in order to sufficient case depth and hardness in laser hardening. The graphite coating on the specimen surface was obtained more uniform temperature distribution than black paint coating in laser hardening process.