The central burst defects, so-called chevroning, in wire drawing are analyzed by the rigid-plastic finite element method. The occurrence of central burst defects in wire drawing is estimated by the distribution of the hydrostatic pressure around the central part of the workpiece. It has been possible to obtain numerical boundaries which, in reduction in area vs. semicone angle plane, divide the safe and the danger zones, depending on friction factors and material properties. Based on the results of the analysis, it is suggested that the previous criterion derived from the upper bound analysis should be modified for better prediction of the defects. The back tension and the billet with a spherical hole on the central axis are also included in the analysis of the defects.