The settlements of footings in send are often estimated based on the results of in-situ tests, particularly the standard penetration test (SPT) and the cone penetration test (CPT). In this paper, we analyze the load-settlement response of vertically loaded footings placed in sands using both the finite element method with a non-linear stress-strain model and the conventional elastic approach. Calculations are made for both normally consolidated and heavily overconsolidated sands with various relative densities. For each case, the cone penetration resistance qc is calculated using CONPOINT, a widely tested program that allows computation of qc based on cavity expansion analysis. Based on these analyses, we propose a procedure for the estimation of footing settlement in sands based on CPT results.