Effects of alkali swelling of HwBKP (hardwood bleached kraft pulp) at a low concentration below 2 percent (based on the oven-dried weight of pulp) on handsheet properties were investigated. Swelling treatment of HwBKP was performed at various low NaOH concentrations with/without beating. Then, the changes in handsheet properties were evaluated in terms of bulk, optical and strength properties. It was found that bulk was slightly increased when the alkali concentration was increased. When the pulp was only swollen without beating, paper optical and strength properties was slightly decreased or not changed with alkali concentration. When the pulp was alkali-swollen after beating, paper strength and opacity showed almost no changes while brightness was increased. When the pulp was beaten after NaOH swelling, alkali concentration showed almost no effect on brightness and opacity of paper. Paper strength was slightly decreased with alkali concentration, suggesting that alkali pretreatment before refining could adversely affect refining efficiency.