Abstract: Asymmetric work rolls in hot strip mills can give consideration to both shape control and schedule free rolling; however, their key parameters are usually designed with experience and lack for corresponding basis. This paper proposed a theoretical design method for key parameters of asymmetry work rolls in hot strip mills. As known conditions could not be accurately given during the design process, multi-criterion satisfactory optimization was introduced to the parameters design of asymmetry work rolls. Then a comprehensive satisfaction objective function was established and the optimal value was solved with a simulated annealing genetic algorithm. Using the satisfactory solution instead of the optimal solution makes the optimization results of the roll shape parameters more scientific. An application on a certain hot rolling production line indicates that the optimized roll contour achieves desired results in both shape control and schedule free rolling.