An optical system of a laser reader has a light projecting portion for emitting a laser beam of light converging toward an object, a condenser lens for condensing a reflecting light from the object and a light receiving element for detecting light quantity of the reflecting light condensed by the condenser lens. The optical axis of the light projecting portion and that of the condenser lens are substantially parallel within a readable range which is established by a relation between a spatial frequency of the object and a spot diameter of the laser beam of light. The laser emits infrared radiation and a light emitting diode emits a visible guide light to confirm the position of the infrared laser spot.