Stress distributions in the composite layers of a Type III hydrogen pressure vessel composed of a thin aluminum liner (5 mm) and a thick composite laminate (45 mm) were calculated by using three different modeling techniques. The results were analyzed and compared with the plausible stress distribution calculated by a full ply-based modeling technique. A laminate-based modeling technique underestimated the generated stresses especially at the border between the cylinder and dome parts. A hybrid modeling technique combining a laminate-based modeling for the dome part with a ply-based modeling for the cylinder part was also tried, but it overestimated the generated stresses at the border. In order for the ply-based modeling technique to carry out precise analysis, a fiber trajectory function for the dome part was derived and the composite thickness variation was also considered. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.