Abstract: The surface oxide scales of the hot rolled strip steel were reduced using industrial hydrogen, and then the strip steel was cold rolled in five passes under different lubrication conditions. The surface morphology of the specimens before and after cold rolling was studied by scanning electron microscopy and the surface roughness tester. The results show that most of the cracks, pores and bubbles on the specimen surface were gradually roll-flattened and the surface roughness decreased with the increase of rolling passes. After cold rolling in five passes, the roll-flattening level of the surface defects of the specimen was the highest under the dry friction condition and the lowest under the hydraulic-oil lubrication condition. The crack traces were retained on the specimen surface under the three lubrication conditions and the most retained traces were observed under the hydraulic-oil lubrication condition. The roller marks were also observed clearly under the dry friction condition. The surface roughness of the specimen under the dry friction condition was with the lowest value of 0.065 μm, and that under the hydraulic-oil and emulsion lubrication condition was 0.089 μm and 0.076 μm respectively.