Irregular variation of wire feeding rate in CO2 arc welding was investigated. Using a measuring apparatus, bearing a computer, for wire feeding rate, effects of welding conditions and wire characteristics on the feeding rate variation were studied. At the position of the feed roller, little variation was observed with and without arc generation. At the position of the welding torch, large variation was observed, especially when arc was generated. The effect of welding current was the most significant;the higher the current, the larger the variation. Therefore, the source of the variation was assumed to exist at or close to the welding roch. Wire curvature and copper coating also had significant effects.