The paper compares various methods for computing the equivalent stress amplitude for stress cycles of non-zero mean value in stress-life fatigue prediction. A set of 11 calculation methods is evaluated. In addition to formulations based on common static or fatigue properties, the Walker formula and the generalized Linear formula are included in the investigation. These two methods use an optimization routine to find the material parameters. The final response of the methods is compared and discussed. The Walker method provides a better solution. The generalized Linear method produces inferior results, i.e. the linear fit of the segment of the Haigh diagram is not an optimal solution.