Abstract: According to the basic theory of protective coal pillar, combined with the existing calculation methods, we analyzed some deficiencies in protective coal pillar design by vertical method, and established a complete analytical mathematical model. Through the analysis, we got a formula for calculating the protection coal pillar boundary and pressed coal quantity, and achieved automation by using programming language to determine the protective coal pillar with vertical method. By comparing with the accuracy of the traditional method, it shortens the computational time and improves work efficiency.