The first part of the paper summarizes the results of recent research on the bearing capacity of spread foundations of various shapes under a central vertical load and outlines the effects of foundation depth, eccentricity and inclination of the load. Simple formulae have been derived for use in practice and their application to the design of rigid and flexible foundations is briefly indicated.The second part of the paper discusses the bearing capacity of single piles under vertical and inclined loads. The bearing capacity of piled foundations and free-standing pile groups is outlined, and the results of model tests on pile groups under central and eccentric loads are briefly analysed in relation to some problems in practice.