Abstract—This paper presents a free vibration analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) cylindrical panels using the element-free kp-Ritz method. Carbon nanotubes are assumed uniaxially aligned in axial direction of cylindrical panels and functionally graded in thickness direction with different types of distributions. The effective material properties of FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels are estimated through a micromechanical model based on the Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka approach. The governing equations are based on the first order shear deformation shell theory and the two-dimensional displacement fields are approximated by mesh-free kernel particle functions. Convergence and comparison studies have been carried out to verify the stability and accuracy of the present method for analysis of free vibration of FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels.