Abstract The aim of the paper is to propose design tools for pile groups when vertical and moment loads are applied simultaneously. This is done by presenting a method to derive the exact solution for the failure locus in the generalized force space, including a vertical load and a moment with components along two axes, to employ for capacity requirements which helps to get rid of overconservative assumptions usually adopted in design. Moreover, closed-form solutions for performance-based interaction domains are also provided allowing to detect all the combinations of external loads associated with a given value of settlement and/or rotation of the foundation that is extremely useful when the design is ruled by serviceability requirements. The application of these straightforward formulae provides results which are in very good agreement with the more rigorous solutions derived from a numerical procedure developed ad hoc for the problem at hand.