The work aims to investigate the effects of unsymmetrical stepped-groove texture on the static performances of water-lubricated thrust bearing. Firstly, the turbulent Reynolds equation considering surface texture, turbulence and JFO cavitation model was established, and then solved by Finite Difference Method to calculate the pressure distribution and viscous shear stress of textured bearing. Secondly, the load capacity and friction force were obtained by integration of the pressure and viscous shear stress over the bearing surface, respectively. Finally, the influences of the stepped-groove texture on the load capacity and friction force at different rotary speed and parameters were investigated. For the stepped-groove texture with deep front groove and shallow rear groove, the load capacity was the largest when the width of front groove was equal to that of rear groove. However, for the texture with shallow front groove and deep rear groove, the load capacity reached the minimum when the width of front groove was equal to that of rear groove. When the depth of front groove was smaller than the water film thickness and the ratio of rear groove depth to front groove depth was about 0.67, the load capacity of bearing reached the maximum. When the depth of front groove was greater than the water film thickness and the ratio of rear groove depth to front groove depth was about 0.33, the load capacity of bearing reached the maximum. There was an optimal ratio of rear groove depth to front groove depth for the minimum friction force when the depth of front groove was smaller than the water film thickness (15 μm). However, when the depth of front groove was greater than 15 μm, the friction force gradually decreased as the ratio increased from 0.33 to 1.68. The stepped-groove texture can reduce the friction force of the water-lubricated thrust bearing. To obtain a great load capacity, the front groove should be deeper than the rear groove along the flow direction, but the width should be the same. Proper design of parameters of the stepped-groove texture can provide a large load capacity and lower friction force.