Purpose: The main function of the castellation process is making I-sections stiffer by increasing the height of web and supplying a higher moment capacity of primary axis than plain-webbed members of the same weight. In addition, it optimizes the use of heavy, costly constructional steel material and provides good services accessibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the strength and buckling behavior of axially loaded castellated cruciform steel columns using finite element analysis. Although a significant body of research exists on the failure of different columns, there is no proper criterion introduced to determine the point of buckling in the equilibrium path of an imperfect column. Design/methodology/approach: This paper considers a wide range of practical geometric dimensions and various end conditions using ANSYS software. Findings are reported for about 224 samples of castellated cruciform I-shaped sections, and a simplified approach to evaluate buckling capacity of castellated columns, using the slenderness-load curve, is developed. In addition, the axial compressive capacities of those steel sections are investigated numerically in the current study. Findings: The results of nonlinear analyses of these columns revealed that the load-carrying capacity of castellated cruciform steel columns far outweighs and is more appropriate than that of the traditional cruciform steel columns. In the present paper, new geometric criteria have been introduced having the ability to cover different types of columns. It shows the critical load of columns in the range of elastic and inelastic behavior. Practical implications: This study can provide a background for practical engineering applications and design specifications for steel structures with castellated sections. In the present paper, new geometric criteria have been introduced having the ability to cover different types of columns. It shows the critical load of columns showing both elastic and inelastic behavior. Because this method showed reliable performance, it can be used during experimental tests for detecting buckling point. Originality/value: This study can provide background for practical engineering applications and design specifications for steel structures with castellated sections; also, a physical criterion has been defined for calculating the buckling load of real columns. © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited.