To　address　the　challenges　of　optimizing　cable-stayed　bridges　under　seismic　loading,　a　multi-objective　particle　swarm　optimization　(PSO)　procedure　to　optimize　load-bearing　components　of　cable-stayed　bridges　is　presented.　The　procedure　integrates　numerical　computing　software　MATLAB　with　finite　element　analysis　software　ANSYS.　The　final　goal　is　to　identify　the　optimal　cross-sectional　dimensions　of　towers　and　girders,　as　well　as　the　optimal　cross-sectional　areas　of　cables　and　their　corresponding　pre-tension　forces.　The　goal　is　achieved　by　coupling　the　PSO　for　global　searching,　time　history　analysis　or　spectrum　analysis　for　dynamic　evaluation,　and　the　influence　matrix　method　for　determining　the　cable　pre-tension　forces.　The　effectiveness　of　proposed　procedure　is　validated　through　a　two　dimensional　(2D)　and　a　three　dimensional　(3D)　symmetric　layout　bridge.　Following　that,　the　design　procedure　is　utilized　in　the　preliminary　design　of　a　single　tower　bridge　without　backstays　located　in　Pescara,　Italy.　The　results　demonstrate　that　the　proposed　optimization　procedure　could　be　an　useful　tool　to　optimize　cable-stay　bridges　under　seismic　loading.　©　The　Author(s),　under　exclusive　licence　to　Springer　Nature　B.V.　2025.