Abstract: To apply self-piercing riveted (SPR) connections with high efficiency and a high degree of automation in the field of mechanical engineering to cold-formed thin-wall steel structures, the shear behavior of 51 groups of SPR connections on thin-walled steel sheets were tested. The influences of the steel sheet thickness, thickness ratio and rivet length on the shear behavior and failure mechanism of the SPR connections were studied. An empirical formula that combines the steel sheet thickness and rivet length was fitted. We also analyzed the feasibility for the existing calculation method of the shear strength of SPR connections and design methods of the shear capacity of self-tapping screw connections in the specifications of five countries. Based on the results of the test and the analysis, a calculation method of calculating the shear capacity was proposed. The result showed that the steel sheet thickness and thickness ratio had the most significant effect on the shear behavior and failure mechanism, respectively. The rivet length had a great influence on the shear properties and an optimal length could be determined quickly by the fitted empirical formula. Compared with the existing methods, the calculation method proposed for different failure modes was more suitable for the design because of higher accuracy and better stability.