The formula and tested data concerning the two strength curves proposed by Hancock are studied, for predicting the load-carrying capacity of distortional buckling. A proposed design formula, and the two strength design curves are then compared with the current design methods including Direct Strength Method and Effective Width Method, employed by North American Specification (AISI-NAS: 2007), Australian Standard (AS/NZS 4600: 2005), and Chinese Technical Specification (JGJ 227-2011) on distortional buckling of cold-formed steel column under axial compression. The three design formula are then evaluated and validated for those cold-formed steel specimens with intermediate stiffeners and complex edge stiffeners. The results indicate that the current design standards adopt the two strength design curves of DSM and EWM respectively, and have some difference at partial extent. The new formula is proposed to solve this problem, which agrees better with the DSM design formula than the existing EWM design formula. The proposed EWM, the current EWM and DSM are all well to predict the load-carrying capacity of cold-formed thin-walled steel channel columns with complex cross-section experiencing distortional buckling under axial compression. ©, 2015, Editorial Office of China Civil Engineering Journal. All right reserved.