Single pass clad layers of stainless steel on 15 mm thick carbon steel plates have been deposited by submerged arc strip welding carried out at different welding parameters. The influences of the welding current and arc voltage on the thickness of the clad layer, the ferrite content of the clad surface and the variation in microhardness of the weld have been studied. The thickness of the deposited layer has been found to increase with the increase of welding current and to remain nearly unchanged with the increase of arc voltage. The increase in welding current and also in arc voltage reduces the ferrite content of the clad surface. The extent of ferrite level depends parimarily upon the chemical composition of the deposited layer which in turn is influenced by the amount of heat input. A transition region having a comparatively higher hardness than that of its surrounding has been found to form at the clad to base metal interface. The hardness of the interface has been found to be raised even up to an order of about 450 VHN during welding with a heat input within the range of about 11–12 kJ/mm.