Abstract: Six cross-shaped multi-cavity concrete-filled steel tubular stocky columns and one common cross-shaped concrete-filled steel tubular stocky column were tested under axial compression conditions. The influence of section form, of sectional width-thickness ratio and height-thickness ratio of flange on the axial compression performance of specimens were analyzed. The test results showed that the columns presented local buckling damage at their middle and lower parts. The rigidity, ultimate bearing capacity and restraint effects on core concrete of cross-shaped multi-cavity composite concrete-filled steel tubular columns were better than those of ordinary cross-shaped concrete-filled steel tubular columns with the same steel ratio. The compressive stiffness of the specimen decreased with the increase of section width-thickness ratio. The ultimate bearing capacity of specimens increased with the decrease of sectional width-thickness ratios, and with the increase of height-thickness ratio of flange, but the increase amplitude was gradually reduced. A critical observation from the study is that existing standards for calculating the load-bearing capacity of such columns tend to be overly conservative. To address this discrepancy, two new calculation formulas for load-bearing capacity, derived from the “unified theory”, are proposed. The test findings, with an average relative error of less than 2%, and the calculation results correspond well.