The paper presents a numerical study on the local buckling behavior of cold-formed steel elliptical hollow sections. In the paper, a finite element model of stub columns is first presented, in which residual stresses, strength enhancement, geometrical imperfection resulting from cold forming are predicted by using a rigorous finite element simulation of roll forming process. The accuracy of the finite element model for column is verified by comparing the numerical predictions with test results. By using the finite element model, a parametric study on the stub columns behavior of cold-formed steel elliptical hollow sections is then presented for a wide range of section sizes and steel grades. Furthermore, the effect of forming parameters on the local buckling of cold-formed steel elliptical hollow sections is examined