An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the earth 's crust that creates seismic waves. the seismicity, seismic or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time. large strain energy released during an earthquake travels as seismic waves in all directions through the earth's layers, reflecting and refracting at each interface. seismic waves classified body wave and surface wave. the motion of the ground can be described in terms of displacement, velocity or acceleration. the variation of ground acceleration with time recorded at a point on ground during an earthquake is called an accelerogram. seismic analysis of most structures is still carried out of the basis of lateral (horizontal) force assumed equivalent to the actual (dynamic) loading. although earthquake force is dynamic, the routine analysis is done by assuming it to be static. the base shear which is the total horizontal force acting on the structure is calculated on the basis of structure mass, fundamental period of ' vibration and corresponding mode shape. the base shear is distributed along the height of the structure, in terms of lateral force according to the code formula. it is the simplest method of analysis and required less calculations. this method is usually conservative for low to medium height buildings with a regular configuration. in our project analysis of seismic effect on the different shapes of columns like square, rectangular and circular are carried out. we analysis the g+3 building in different earthquake zone according to is-1893 (2002) and various size of columns of a story experience similar drifts under seismic loads when floor diaphragms are rigid. columns in lateral-force-resisting frames are designed with these deformations in mind, but gravity columns often are not. when gravity columns are continuous, moments develop when inter story drifts occur. we are analysis of the building in a staad - pro and in the load transfer mechanism are slab to beam, beam to column and column to footing. the major effect during the earthquake are the column. we are study of the column in our project. after the analysis of building with different shapes of columns and different earthquake zone. we study the behavior of the columns in different earthquake zone. and which shape of column is highly resistance to earthquake force we conclude it.