AbstractGreat efforts have been made in analyzing the strength of notched laminates under in‐plane loadings. However, no work has been reported on notched laminates under bending, because of the complexity of theoretical stress analysis. In this study, a simplified approach has been used to analyze the notched strength of laminated composites with an elliptical hole under bending. This approach combines notched sample experiments and finite element results. Based upon the consideration that not only the stress distribution at one ply, but also the stress variation across the laminate thickness, should be taken into account, two failure models are presented: a modified point stress model and a modified average stress model. Two characteristic parameters are presented to evaluate the notched strength of the laminated plate