| Sr.No. | Long Column | Short Column |
| 1 | Long column is considered to be long if the ratio of effective length of column to its least lateral dimension is greater than 12. | Short column is considered to be short if the ratio of effective length to its least lateral dimension is less than or equal to 12. |
| 2 | Long column is weaker than a short column and generally, it is not preferred. | The short column is stronger than a long column and it is highly preferable. |
| 3 | Long column, whose lateral dimension is very small when compared to its length (or height), is called as long column. | Short column, whose lateral dimension is very large when compared to its length (or height), is called a short column. |
| 4 | It is generally fails by buckling. | It generally fails by crushing. |
| 5 | The slenderness ratio is greater than 45. | The slenderness ratio is less than 45. |
| 6 | As the height of column increases the load carrying capacity is less. | As the height of the column decreases the load-carrying capacity is more. |
| 7 | Long Column Radius of gyration is less. | Short column radius of gyration is more. |
| 8 | Load carrying capacity is less. | Load-carrying capacity is more. |
| 9 | Long column is subjected to buckling stress | The short column is subjected to compressive stress. |
| 10 | Long and slender columns buckle easily. | The buckling tendency is very low. |
| 11 | The ratio of effective length of a long column to its least radius of gyration is greater than 40. | The ratio of the effective length of a short column to its least radius of gyration is less than or equal to 40. |
| 12 | The failure of the short column is by crushing. | The column generally fails in buckling. |