Abstract: The fuel element of high temperature gas-cooled reactor is composed of coated particle fuel which is dispersed in graphite matrix. In normal operation, the stress due to irradiation and a variety of complex physical and chemical reactions will cause failure of the coated particle fuel. Therefore, the stress analysis of coated particle fuel is important for the safety of fuel element and reactor. The stress was analyzed by the finite element method based on the inner pressure failure mechanism considering asphericity of the particles.