Abstract Understanding the effect of micro-structure geometry on wetting state transition is important to design and control surface wettability. Micro-rod model was proposed and the relationship between micro-rod geometry and wetting state was investigated in the paper taking into account only the surface roughness and neglecting the chemistry interaction. Micro-rods with different geometric parameters were fabricated using micro-fabrication technology. Their contact angles were measured and compared with theoretical ones. The experimental results indicated that increasing the height and decreasing the space of micro-rod may result in Cassie wetting state, while decreasing the height and increasing the space may result in Wenzel wetting state. A suspended wetting state model due to scallops was proposed. The wetting state transition was interpreted by intruding height, de-pinning and sag mechanism. It may offer a facile way to control the surface wetting state transition by changing the geometry of micro-rod.