AbstractThis paper provides a methodology for the prediction of fracture loads in notched materials that combines the equivalent material concept with the theory of critical distances. The latter has a linear‐elastic nature and requires material calibration in those cases where the non‐linear material behaviour is significant. The calibration may be performed by fracture testing on notched specimens or a combination of fracture testing and simulation. The proposed methodology sets out to define an equivalent linear‐elastic material on which the theory of critical distances may be applied through its basic formulation and without any previous fracture testing and/or simulation. It has been applied to PMMA single edge notch bending specimens containing U‐notches, providing accurate predictions of fracture loads.