In this paper, the buckling strength of HSS welded box columns was studied by means of numerical study, and the results were used to verify the applicability of provisions of buckling design in the current design codes and provide design recommendations. Fiber models were established taking into account for the effects of residual stress and geometric imperfection. Through the validation against the experimental results, these fiber models showed excellent capability of replicating the key test results, including buckling strengths and load-lateral deflection histories. Then a comprehensive parametric analysis was conducted to reveal the effects of steel grade and width to thickness ratio on column curves. The fiber model results were then compared with the design buckling strength factors from the current designs such as GB50017-2017, Eurocode 3 and ANSI/AISC 360-10. The comparison showed that the design codes could provide satisfactory accuracy in predicting buckling strength of HSS welded box columns by properly selecting co lumns curves. Furthermore, by updating the coefficients in the three current design codes, new column curves were proposed, which take the effects of yield strength and width-thickness ratio into consideration. The new column curves were proved to be able to predict the buckling strength with better accuracy and could facilitate the design of HSS welded box columns with different steel grades and width to thickness ratios.