Optimum　shape　and　length　of　laterally　loaded　piles　can　be　obtained　with　different　optimization　techniques.　In　particular,　the　Fully　Stress　Design　method　(FSD)　is　an　optimality　condition　that　allows　to　obtain　the　optimum　shape　of　the　pile,　while　the　optimum　length　can　be　obtained　through　a　transversality　condition　at　the　pile　lower　end.　Using　this　technique,　the　structure　is　analysed　by　finite　elements　and　shaped　through　the　FSD　method　by　contemporarily　checking　that　the　transversality　condition　is　satisfied.　In　this　paper　it　is　noted　that　laterally　loaded　piles　with　optimum　shape　and　length　have　some　peculiar　characteristics,　depending　on　the　type　of　cross-section,　that　allow　to　design　them　with　simple　calculations　without　using　finite　element　analysis.　Some　examples　illustrating　the　proposed　simplified　design　method　of　laterally　loaded　piles　with　optimum　shape　and　length　are　introduced.　Copyright　©　2019　Techno-Press,　Ltd.