PurposeThis paper aims to propose an energetic model parameter calculation method for predicting the materials’ symmetrical static hysteresis loop and asymmetrical minor loop to improve the accuracy of electromagnetic analysis of equipment.Design/methodology/approachFor predicting the symmetrical static hysteresis loop, this paper deduces the functional relationship between magnetic flux density and energetic model parameters based on the materials’ magnetization mechanism. It realizes the efficient and accurate symmetrical static hysteresis loop prediction under different magnetizations. For predicting the asymmetrical minor loop, a new algorithm is proposed that updates the energetic model parameters of the asymmetrical minor loop to consider the return-point memory effect.FindingsThe comparison of simulation and experimental results verifies that the proposed parameters calculation method has high accuracy and strong universality.Originality/valueThe proposed parameter calculation method improves the existing parameter calculation method’s problem of relying on too much experimental data and inaccuracy. Consequently, the presented work facilitates the application of the finite element electromagnetic field analysis method coupling the hysteresis model.