Joints are an important mechanical feature of rock masses. Their effect on wave propagation is significant in characterizing dynamic behaviors of discontinuous rock masses. An experimental study on wave propagation across artificial rock joint was carried out to reveal the relation between the transmission coefficient and the contact situation of the joint surface. The modified split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus was used in this study while all the bars and specimens were norite cored from the same site. One surface of the specimens with a number of notches was adopted to simulate the artificial rough joint. Two strain gauges were mounted on each pressure bar at a specific spacing. The incident, reflected and transmitted waves across the joints were obtained using a wave separation method. Comparisons of the transmission coefficients were made under two different conditions: with the same joint thickness but different contact area ratios, and with the same contact area ratio but different joint thicknesses. The results show the effects of contact area ratio and thickness of joints on wave transmission.