The work aims to study the mechanical properties of peanut kernels with different maturity under three compression directions. With Zhonghua-6 peanut kernel as the subject, the mechanical characteristic curves of three different maturity samples were obtained by compression tests in three directions of positive pressure, lateral pressure and vertical pressure. The mechanical parameters such as modulus of elasticity and compressive strength were calculated. The relationship among maturity, compression direction and mechanical parameters was obtained by variance analysis. The error between the test value and the simulation value was compared to verify the reliability and accuracy of peanut kernel compression test and finite element analysis through three-dimensional modeling and finite element analysis. The elastic modulus of peanut kernel was 15.33-45.66 MPa, the breaking force was 45.5-153.4 N, the elastic deformation was 0.72-2.22 mm, and the compressive strength was 16.25-47.94 MPa. The results showed that maturity had extremely significant on the compressive strength and breaking force of peanut kernel (P<0.01). Maturity had significant on the elastic modulus and deformation of peanut kernel (0.01<P<0.05). The compression direction had a significant effect on the elastic modulus and deformation of peanut kernel (0.01<P<0.05), but had no significant effect on the compressive strength and breaking force of peanut kernel (P>0.05). The results show that the peanut kernel with the same maturity is the most likely to crack under vertical pressure. The belonged to anisotropic material. The hilum of peanut kernel is the weakest position.