To　investigate　the　overall　stability　of　stainless　steel　axial　compression　member　with　welded　box-section,　the　nonlinear　finite　element　simulation　of　the　stainless　steel　axial　compression　members　was　conducted　by　ANSYS.　By　comparing　the　simulation　results　with　the　experimental　results,　the　accuracy　of　the　finite　element　(FE)　model　was　verified.　The　initial　geometric　imperfections,　section　residual　stress,　mechanical　properties,　section　width-to-thickness　ratio　and　slenderness　ratio　which　affect　the　overall　stability　of　the　member　ultimate　bearing　capacity　were　parametrically　analyzed　by　the　proposed　FE　model.　The　results　show　that　the　mechanical　properties　and　slenderness　ratio　of　member　are　key　influential　factors　on　the　ultimate　load.　A　new　three-section　formula　for　calculating　the　overall　stability　coefficient　has　been　proposed　by　data　fitting,　which　can　accurately　predict　the　overall　stable　bearing　capacity　of　stainless　steel　axial　compression　members　with　welded　box-section.　©　2017,　Editorial　Board　of　Journal　of　Harbin　Institute　of　Technology.　All　right　reserved.