Optimisation of effective design parameters to reduce tooth bending stress for an automotive transmission gearbox is presented. A systematic investigation of effective design parameters for optimum design of a five-speed gearbox is studied. For this aim contact ratio effect on tooth bending stress by the changing of contact ratio with respect to pressure angle is analysed. Additionally, profile modification effects on tooth bending stress are presented. During the optimisation, the tooth bending stress is considered as the objective function, and all the geometric design parameters such as module, teeth number etc. are optimised under two different constraints, including tooth contact stress and constant gear centre distance. It can be concluded that higher the contact ratio results in a reduced tooth bending stress, while higher the pressure angle caused an increase in tooth bending stress and contact stress, since decreases in the contact ratio. In addition, application of positive profile modification on tooth reduces tooth bending stress. All of the obtained optimum solutions satisfy all constraints.