The　transfer　matrix　method　is　applied　to　the　buckling　of　end-bearing　piles　partially　or　fully　embedded　in　a　layered　elastic　medium　with　a　constant　coefficient　of　subgrade　reaction　for　each　layer.　The　solution　of　the　governing　differential　equation　for　each　pile　segment　can　be　expressed　as　the　product　of　a　fourth-order　matrix　and　a　coefficient　determinant.　Using　the　transfer　matrix　method　and　combining　the　boundary　conditions　at　both　ends　of　the　pile,　the　buckling　load　is　obtained　by　solving　the　eigenvalue　equation.　A　parametric　study　is　performed　to　investigate　the　effects　of　the　properties　of　the　soil-pile　system　on　the　stability　capacity　of　the　pile.　It　is　shown　that　the　effects　of　the　embedment　ratio,　soil　layer　thickness,　and　soil　stiffness　on　the　buckling　of　piles　are　quite　significant.　Several　calculation　examples　are　presented　to　verify　the　present　method.　©　2021　World　Scientific　Publishing　Company.