The circular Gaussian beam shape has been simulated by numerical evaluation on beam shape based on z-scan method through beam radius. This method is useful in many studies such as z-scan experiments. The validity of the relation between peak and valley separation in close aperture data and the diffraction length of the beam has been investigated by this method for some real cases. The results are in good agreement with the experimental studies. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.