ABSTRACT We propose a novel structure of ultrahigh pressure die which consists of a split compression cylinder, a support ring, and steel wire winding, and the impacts of various steel wire winding methods on the ultimate cylinder pressure-bearing capacity are investigated. The investigations are conducted on the pre-stressing dies using the equal tensile stress (ETS), equal shear stress (ESS), and constant tangential stress (CTS) winding approaches. First, it is determined theoretically what the maximum cavity pressure and the necessary number of winding layers would be. The shear stresses of the cylinder and the support ring, the displacements of the cylinder, and the axial stresses of the steel wire layer are then examined using the finite element method. The results of the theoretical calculation and simulation are compared and discussed. The findings indicate that the ESS winding is a better option.