In terms of various applications of linear motor, there are different design objectives with varying concerns. In this paper, the objective is to obtain the slot/pole ratio for tubular permanent-magnet linear synchronous motor (TPMLSM). Direct-axis current analysis and finite element technique are utilized to investigate the optimal slot/slot ratio design of the TPMLSM. Based on electrical angle drift of slots between two neighboring permanent magnets, the slot/pole ratio (SPR), one of the key factors in design, is deduced by direct-axis current analysis. In contrast to those experiment methods, the proposed technique is convenient and swift; moreover it is proven that the method is efficient by 2-D axisymmetic finite element analysis.