A new conceptual meaning is given to the structural analysis column effective length factor, K. It is a measure of the lateral stiffness available to a column to resist its P-Delta and P-delta effects at the instant of buckling. Using this definition, it is explained why a pin-ended column can have different K-factors. Several examples are given to illustrate this new concept. Both elastic and inelastic leaning columns are studied. A structural analysis rarely ever gives K = 1.0 for a leaning column in a practical frame. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.