<p>This study focused on the buckling characteristics of egg-shaped shells with single crack and double cracks under axial pressure. First, the geometric parameters of the egg-shaped shell were designed, and a numerical model of the egg-shaped shell was established. Then, the initial crack was introduced into the equatorial weld of the egg-shaped shell, and the effects of the crack on the buckling characteristics under different wall thicknesses were explored, as were the effects of the single crack direction, double crack angle and spacing on the buckling characteristics. Finally, crack-free, single crack and double crack egg-shaped shells were fabricated from Q235 steel. The buckling loads and failure modes of the three egg-shaped shells were obtained via axial compression experiments. The numerical critical buckling loads and buckling modes were compared with the experimental results to verify the accuracy of the numerical model. The results of this study are valuable for the design of egg-shaped shells under axial loading.</p>