For offshore wind turbines on deeper waters, a jacket sub-structure supported by axially loaded piles is thought to be the most suitable solution. The design method recommended by API and two CPT-based design methods are compared for two uniform sand profiles. The analysis show great difference in the predictions of bearing capacities calculated by means of the three methods for piles loaded in both tension and compression. This implies that further analysis of the bearing capacity of axially loaded piles in sand should be conducted.