Introduction. Friction pile reliability under the action of the central compressing force according to the Set of Rules 24.13330.2011 is calculated from the first group of the limit states — from the bearing capacity (using the pile material strength criteria and the foundation soil bearing capacity criterion) and from the second group of the limit states — from the pile load-deformation behaviour. Materials and methods. A method of calculating the friction pile reliability from the foundation soil bearing capacity is considered. Reliability appears as a quantitative measure of safety of a single pile operation. The foundation soil bearing capacity is accepted as a criterion for the pile operating capacity. The pile reliability analysis is based on the statistical information obtained during the preliminary pile testing with measuring the friction on the surface of the pile placed in the soil layers and the soil stress under the pile foot. The testing methods for obtaining the statistical information were well-known and used earlier to generate the lists of f-values and R-values in the Set of Rules 24.13330.2011. Each random parameter is measured at least three times. Results. The theory of analysis of the preliminary pile reliability in accordance with GOST 27751-2014 “Reliability of building structures and foundations” has been built on this statistical information. Reliability as the calculation result is represented by interval notation. The mathematical model of the limit state of the pile from the foundation soil bearing capacity has been borrowed from the Set of Rules. The connection (formula) between the length of the pile and the value of its reliability as a safety measure for its operation in the foundation soil has been established. Evaluation of the friction pile reliability corresponding to the characteristic value is carried out by calculation (trail-and-error method) from the mechanical properties of the soil and the load on the pile with the indication of the value of the length of the pile or the sum of the soil layers, each of the values in this case shall be not more than 2 m. The reliability analysis is described in the case studies set out in the article. Conclusions. Pile reliability analysis is based on the actual information about the pile operation in the foundation soil according to the current regulations of the Russian Federation, so the proposed method of the friction pile reliability analysis can be transferred into practice. It can also be used in the reliability calculation for other load-bearing elements, in the regulatory literature, and in the academic work of construction universities.