Test　results　of　variable　cross-sectional　concrete　filled　steel　tubular　(CFST)　laced　columns　on　axial　load　indicate　that　the　ultimate　load　of　specimens　reduces　gradually　with　the　increase　of　column　length　and　the　decrease　of　slope　of　longitudinal　elements.　Following　this　rule,　a　calculation　method　of　the　ultimate　load　carrying　capacity　of　CFST　variable　cross-sectional　laced　columns　on　axial　load　was　studied　on　the　base　of　calculation　frame　of　equal　cross-sectional　CFST　laced　columns.　A　method　by　using　equivalent　length　to　calculate　equivalent　slenderness　ratio　and　stability　factor　of　variable　cross-sectional　CFST　laced　columns　was　presented.　The　calculation　results　of　specimens＇　ultimate　load　by　this　method　are　coincident　well　with　the　test　results.　Finally,　a　rational　and　applied　method　to　calculate　the　ultimate　load　carrying　capacity　of　four-element　variable　cross-sectional　CFST　laced　columns　was　presented　on　the　base　of　numerical　results　from　FEM　analysis,　and　it＇s　hoped　to　provide　reference　for　the　further　perfection　of　CFST　design　criteria.　©　2016,　Chongqing　Medical　University.　All　right　reserved.