Abstract The second nearest-neighbor modified embedded atom method (2NN-MEAM) is used to investigate the generalized stacking fault (GSF) energy surfaces of eight FCC metals Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Pd, Pt, Al and Pb. An offset is observed in all the metals for the displacement δus of unstable stacking fault energy from the geometrically symmetric displacement point δ us 0 . The offset value is the greatest for Al and the smallest for Ag. By analyzing the stable stacking fault energy γsf and unstable stacking fault energy γusf, it can be predicted that stacking fault is more favorable in Cu, Ag, Au, and especially in Pd than the other metals, while it is most preferred to create partial dislocation for Ag and to create full dislocation for Al.