Abstract: The bearing capacity of circular footing is studied using critical slip field method. The three factors under different earth pressures are presented in the form of tables and curves. Recursion formula is deduced according to the force equilibrium conditions of slice. Firstly, the soil in the calculation range that had been assumed previously can be divided into a series of slices and state points. Secondly, the parameters of all the points are calculated according to the recursion formula and thrust force extremum principle and the critical slip surface can be obtained subsequently using the parameters. Lastly, the bearing capacity is calculated according to the critical slip surface. The comparison with other methods verifies its rationality. The results show that the three factors are similar to others and decrease with increasing of soil pressure. The method is a use of critical slip field method in the calculation of bearing capacity. It is easy to be understood and calculated and can provide some beneficial references for further research on bearing capacity for circular footing.