To investigate the influence of the laser-cladding scanning path on the distortions of a thin plate, a displacement sensor was used to measure dynamic distortions during the cladding process. In addition, all the distortions of the thin plate were measured after cladding using three different scanning paths. The three scanning paths all produced concave distortions at measurement point P₂. In the cladding stage, the distortions accumulate and stack continuously, taking the form of periodic expansions and contractions. Spiral scanning produced the maximum bending distortion. The cladding area of single-direction scanning and reciprocating scanning experienced concave distortions, while the upper edge of the thin plate underwent convex distortions. During spiral scanning, the center of the spiral-scanning cladding layer and the edges of both ends of the thin plate experienced convex distortions. The sectional distortion transverse to the centerline was of the “W” type, and it produced small torsional distortions. Among the three types of scanning paths, single-direction scanning effectively reduced the distortions of the thin plate, and the formed quality of the cladding area was better.