The interval estimation fusion method based on sensor interval estimates and their confidence degrees is developed. When sensor estimates are independent of each other, a combination rule to merge sensor estimates and their confidence degrees is proposed. Moreover, two optimization criteria: minimizing interval length with an allowable minimum confidence degree, or maximizing confidence degree with an allowable maximum interval length are suggested. In terms of the two criteria, an optimal interval estimation fusion can be obtained based on the combined intervals and their confidence degrees. Then we can extend the results on the combined interval outputs and their confidence degrees to obtain a conditional combination rule and the corresponding optimal fault-tolerant interval estimation fusion in terms of the two criteria. It is easy to see that Marzullo's fault-tolerant interval estimation fusion [Marzullo, (1990). Tolerating failures of continuous-valued sensors. ACM Transactions on Computer System, 8(4), 284-304] is a special case of our method. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.