The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of the element stress to establish S-N design curve for the welded lap joint with thin plates below 2mm thickness. In order to do it, the extensive fatigue tests of the welded lap joints with INVAR alloy were performed. With the results, the deign S-N curves for the lap-weld were established by using the reference stresses such as the nominal stress range at the weld throat area, hot spot stress range and element stress range, and compared with regard to the standard deviation. The standard deviation of S-N curves with element stress range was less than that of S-N curves with other reference stresses. In addition, FEA results show the amount of the element stress is less sensitive to mesh size. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the element stress is to be used as the reference stress for the design S-N curves of the welded lap joint.