The work aims to explore the collapse mode of paper-wood honeycomb boards and the deformation failure mode of a single honeycomb unit, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the internal failure mechanism of paper-wood honeycomb boards. Through finite element simulation, the out of plane static compression was analyzed and its deformation pattern, stress-strain pattern and stress-strain curve were obtained. The results showed that the compression process of paper-wood honeycomb boards was divided into four stages. The stress was concentrated in the honeycomb core layer. The outer most honeycomb deformed greatly first, and then the deformation of the middle honeycomb gradually increased. There was one or more stress peaks in the honeycomb core layer under compression. The honeycomb wall bent and folded for 1-2 times, generating 1-2 plastic hinges and absorbing energy in this process. In a word, the collapse failure trend of paper-wood honeycomb boards is from the outer honeycomb to the inner honeycomb, from the single wall to the double wall, and from the weakest collapse point to the rest.