This paper classifies the methods for interpreting bearing capacity from the result of a pile load test. Six criteria, including. (1) physical meaning, (2) consistency, (3) simplicity, (4) applicability, (5) practicability and (6) effect of coordinate scale, are used to evaluate the methods. It is found that the Terzaghi and the maximum curvature methods provide the best results in interpreting the ultimate and yield bearing capacities, respectively. To unify the definition of ultimate bearing capacity and accumulate the experiences of pile load tests, we suggest the Terzaghi method be the standard interpretation method in local codes.