This paper presents a new laminated plate theory for the cylindrical bending of laminated plated. The theory assumes that in plane displacements vary exponentially through plate thickness. Analytical solutions are derived for simply supported plates subjected to transverse loading. The accuracy of the present theory is examined for unsymmetric laminates, and the numerical results are compared with three-dimensional elasticity solutions of Pagano. The present theory predicts displacements and stresses for very thick plates very accurately. In particular, transverse shear stresses obtained form constitutive equations are predicted very accurately.