In this paper a total cyclic strain energy density equal to the sum of plastic strain energy and tensile elastic strain energy densities is used as a damage parameter for metal fatigue. It is shown that the total cyclic strain energy density is a consistent damage parameter for low- and high-cycle fatigue in the conditions of both uniaxial and multiaxial cyclic loading. This parameter is also consistent with the concept of crack initiation and subsequent propagation. The approach described here is applicable for both ideal Masing and non-Masing material response. The predictions of the proposed criterion are compared with the experimental data for medium carbon steel St5. The comparison has shown good agreement.