This paper presents an experimental investigation of axially loaded concrete-filled cold-formed and hot-finished steel elliptical tubular stub columns. In this study, a series of stub column tests was conducted. The nominal aspect ratio of both the cold-formed and hot-finished elliptical hollow sections was 2.0. Different nominal concrete cylinder strengths of 40, 80 and 100 MPa were investigated. The column strengths, load–axial shortening relationships and failure modes of these columns are presented. Test strengths obtained from this study were compared with nominal strengths calculated from the European Code. It can be found that the column strengths predicted by the European Code generally conservative. Furthermore, the structural behaviour of concrete-filled cold-formed and hot-finished steel elliptical tubular stub columns was examined by strength enhancement index and ductility index.