A compact type bar code reader for detecting a bar code symbol provided on a surface of an article. The bar code reader includes a laser beam generation unit for generating the laser beam to be irradiated onto a bar code symbol, and a focus unit for determining a focus of the laser beam, and a scanning pattern forming unit for forming various scanning patterns of the laser beam. The bar code reader also includes a light reflection unit for reflecting the laser beam to and from the bar code symbol, a light collection unit for collecting the laser beam reflected from the bar code symbol, and a light reception unit for receiving the laser beam collected by the light collection unit, and converting it to an electrical signal. The above units are included in a casing so that the laser beam generation unit, the focus unit, the light collection unit, and the light reception unit are arranged at a lower portion of the casing, and the scanning pattern forming unit and light reception unit are arranged at a lower portion of the casing. The light path of the laser beam is formed in such a way that an emitted light path from the laser beam generation unit to the bar code symbol becomes considerably long, and a reflected light path from the bar code symbol to the light reception unit becomes shorter than the emitted light path.