The spatter generation rate of GMA welding with $CO_2$ gas shielding was measured with the change of welding conditions such as wire feeding rate and welding voltage and then the results were analized with the accompanying changes in metal transfer mode and in bead geometry. The spatter generation rate (SGR) was relatively low not only wit the short circuit transfer but with the truely globular transfer mode. However, the SGR resulted with the mixed mode were consistantly high. The resultant wave pattern of mixed mode was due to the coexistance of short-circuit and globular transfer and characterized by the frequent appearance of instantaneous short circuit. Considering the result of SGR and that of bead geometry, it could be concluded that when the wire feeding rate (or welding current) was either low or high, the optimum bead shape could be obtained along with the low spatter generation. However, in the middle range of wire feeding rate, the optimum bead shape was only obtained in the mixed mode condition resulting in the high spatter generation.