Based on the analysis of character of load-transfer of super-long pile, for the purpose of pile settlement control, critical pile length for single friction super-long pile was calculated by Cooke’s shear deformation-transfer model, because the assumption of Cooke’s model is similar with working condition of super-long pile. In the analysis, compression of pile is taken into account. Then, the design chart of critical pile length for super-long pile is provided for normal design index. Lastly, the critical pile length of an engineering example is analysed by the method, the calculated results have agreed well with the field measurement. The analysis show that critical pile length is greatly concerned with ratio of Young’s module of pile and soil, the greater the ratio is, longer the critical pile length is. Pile diameter also affects the critical pile length, the larger the diameter is, longer the critical pile length is. In addition, the critical pile length of super-long pile is concerned with shaft resistance distribution along the pile.