China’s newly enacted Breakwater Design Specifications(JTS154-2011) explicitly state that breakwaters with water depths greater than 20 m are categorized as deep-water breakwaters, and emphasize that design principles, methods and construction requirements are different from those of common shallow water breakwaters. However, the specifications do not make any mention of how to choose wave force calculation methods of deep-water breakwaters. To study the feasibility of different formulae for wave force estimation of deep water combined breakwaters, the wave force calculated by the Sainflou’s, Goda’s, modified Goda’s and specifications’ methods are compared for various water depths and wave heights in this paper. The calculated results are also compared with experimental data. The total horizontal forcing and the pattern of pressure distributions are presented. Comparisons show that the wave pressure distributions by the four methods are similar, but the total horizontal forces are different. The results obtained by the Goda’s method and the specified formulae are much closer to the experimental data. As for the wave force estimation for the deepwater mixed embankment foundation bed parapet, the Goda’s formula is applied in the case with a water depth of less than 42 m. The Specifications method is suitable for standing waves. In the wave force estimates of breastworks, Sainflou’s and the modified Gaoda’s formulae are no longer applicable for the foundation bed of mixed embankment. China’s newly enacted Breakwater Design Specifications (JTS154-2011) explicitly state that breakwaters with water depths greater than 20 m are categorized as deep-water breakwaters, and emphasize that design principles, methods and construction requirements are different from those of common shallow water breakwaters. However, the specifications do not make any mention of how to choose wave force calculation methods of deep-water breakwaters, the wave force calculated by the Sainflou’s, Goda’s, modified Goda’s and specifications’ methods are compared for various water depths and wave heights in this paper. The calculated horizontal structures of the waves the four methods are similar, but the total horizontal forces are diff erent. The results obtained by the Goda’s method and the specified formulae are much closer to the experimental data. As for the wave force estimation for the deepwater mixed embankment foundation bed parapet, the Goda’s formula is applied in the case with a water depth of less Than 42 m. The Specifications method is suitable for standing waves. In the wave force estimates of breastworks, Sainflou’s and the modified Gaoda’s formulae are no longer applicable for the foundation bed of mixed embankment.