Abstract: The thermal contour on-line prediction of work rolls is one of the difficult problems in strip shape control. A theoretical model was built to calculate the on-line work roll's thermal contour by using the one-dimension finite difference method and used to calculate the temperature field and thermal contour at any tune in rolling and after rolling. The result indicates that the computation of this model is rapid and accurate in simulation and online application. This model suits to be used in the process of strip shape on-line control.