The characteristics of VRLA (valve regulated lead-acid) battery with the tubular positive plate and gel type electrolyte were examined as a function of active material filling density. The filling density of positive plate was 3.2 g/mL, 3.4 g/mL, and 3.6 g/mL, respectively. These VRLA batteries were cycled with 100% DOD (depth of discharge) at the C₅/5 rate, followed by IU-type recharge with I_max = 0.2 C₁₀/10 and a final voltage V = 2.40 V/cell. The test was performed in a thermostatic room at 25±1℃. The result indicated that the initial capacity was independent of active material filling density, i.e., the highest initial capacity was 3.4 g/mL of filling density and the lowest was 3.6 g/mL. On aspect of the cycle-life performance of the VRLA battery, the filling density of 3.6 g/mL was similar to that of 3.4 g/mL in the positive plate, and both were higher than that of 3.2 g/mL. Water-loss and degradation of the VRLA battery were decreased according to an increase of the filling density in the positive plate. The optimum filling density of the active material was 3.4∼3.6 g/mL.