The study investigates the influence of basalt fiber (BF) on the mechanical performance of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) short columns under axial compression. Eighteen CFST short columns were tested, and the effects of different lengths of BF on their structural properties were analyzed. The results show that adding BF significantly improves the axial compressive bearing capacity and ductility coefficient of the CFST short columns, with an average increase of 8.1% and 31.6%, respectively. The length of BF has a less significant impact on the bearing capacity, with the rate of increase decreasing as the steel ratio of the CFST increases. The ductility coefficient increases with the steel ratio. The finite element method was used to verify the test results, showing good agreement between the finite element calculations and the experimental data. The study concludes that BF can effectively enhance the mechanical properties of CFST short columns, making them more suitable for civil engineering applications.The study investigates the influence of basalt fiber (BF) on the mechanical performance of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) short columns under axial compression. Eighteen CFST short columns were tested, and the effects of different lengths of BF on their structural properties were analyzed. The results show that adding BF significantly improves the axial compressive bearing capacity and ductility coefficient of the CFST short columns, with an average increase of 8.1% and 31.6%, respectively. The length of BF has a less significant impact on the bearing capacity, with the rate of increase decreasing as the steel ratio of the CFST increases. The ductility coefficient increases with the steel ratio. The finite element method was used to verify the test results, showing good agreement between the finite element calculations and the experimental data. The study concludes that BF can effectively enhance the mechanical properties of CFST short columns, making them more suitable for civil engineering applications.