The main purpose of the current research is to develop an efficient two variables trigonometric shear deformation beam theory to investigate the buckling behavior of symmetric and non-symmetric functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beam resting on an elastic foundation with various boundary conditions. The proposed theory obviates the use to shear correction factors as it satisfies the parabolic variation of through-thickness shear stress distribution. The composite beam is made of a polymeric matrix reinforced by aligned and distributed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with different patterns of reinforcement. The material properties of the FG-CNTRC beam are estimated by using the rule of mixture. The governing equilibrium equations are solved by using new analytical solutions based on the Galerkin method. The robustness and accuracy of the proposed analytical model are demonstrated by comparing its results with those available by other researchers in the existing literature. Moreover, a comprehensive parametric study is presented and discussed in detail to show the effects of CNTs volume fraction, distribution patterns of CNTs, boundary conditions, length-tothickness ratio, and spring constant factors on the buckling response of FG-CNTRC beam. Some new referential results are reported for the first time, which will serve as a benchmark for future research.