The use of a petaloid design for the bottom of carbonated poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) bottles is widely spread. This study investigated the causes of bottom cracks. The tensile yield stress variations of PET according to the crystallinity and stretch ratio were examined, then the stretch ratio and strength in the bottom area of a blown bottle were analyzed. A crack test was also performed to observe the cracking phenomena. The distribution of the effective stress and maximum principal stress were both examined using computer simulation to seek the influence of the bottom design on crack. It was concluded that the bottom cracks occurred because of inadequate material strength due to the insufficient stretching of PET, plus the coarse design of a petaloid bottom. The stretch ratio at the bottom during bottle blowing should be higher than the strain hardening point of PET to produce enhanced mechanical strength. The cracks in the bottom of the PET bottles occurred through crazing below the yield stress. The maximum principal stress was higher in the valleys of the petaloid bottom than in the rest bottom area, and the maximum principal stress had a strong effect on the cracks.