Abstract: As for the m-method recommended by China's technical code for building pile foundation, the applicability of the method in Shanghai soft soil area is validated by means of test data of single pile. The mvalue is back-calculated based on the test data, and it is compared with that suggested by Shanghai's foundation design code and China's code for port foundation of harbour engineering. The data of cast-in-place piles and PHC piles are selected to compare the values by m-method with the measured bending moments as well as the results of other methods. The results show that the m-method is applicable to determine the horizontal bearing capacity of single pile in Shanghai soft soil area. The curve of the calculated bending moment aggress with the measured one. The m-value is recommended according to upper limit stipulated by the Shanghai's foundation design code.