The postbuckling compressive strengths of $[0/90/pm heta]_s$ composite laminated cylindrical panels with various fiber angles and width-to-length ratios are characterized by the nonlinear finite element method. For the iteration and load-increment along the postbuckling equilibrium path a modified arc-length method in which the effect of failure can be considered is introduced. In the progressive failure analysis the maximum stress criterion and complete unloading model are used. Present finite element results show good agreement with experiments for $[0_3/90]_s$ cylindrical panel and $[0/pm45/90/]_s$ plate. The postbuckling compressive strength of $[0/90/pm heta]_s$ composite laminated cylindrical panel is independent of the initial buckling stress but high in the panel with large value of the bending stiffness in axial direction. In the several cylindrical panels, it is observed that the prebuckling compressive failures occur and result into the collapse before the buckling.