This study presents a genetic algorithm-based method for optimizing control parameters in fluid power systems. Genetic algorithms are general-purpose optimization methods based on natural evolution and genetics. A genetic algorithm seeks control parameters maximizing a measure that evaluates system performance. Five control gains of the PID-PD cascade controller fr an electrohydraulic speed control system with a variable displacement hydraulic motor are optimized using a genetic algorithm in the experiment. Optimized gains are confirmed by inspecting the fitness distribution which represents system performance in gain spaces. It is shown that optimization of the five gains by manual tuning should be a task of great difficulty and that a genetic algorithm is an efficient scheme giving economy of time and in labor in optimizing control parameters of fluid power systems.