Earth Bondhon
Creators
Md Jony Islam Author
Md Jony Islam
CalculatorToolsProjectExpert
Reviewers
Małgorzata Koperska, MD Steven Wooding
Last updated: October 19, 2025

Bearing Load Calculator | Radial, Axial & Combined Load Tool

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Bearing Load Calculator

Calculate radial, axial, and combined bearing loads, life, and equivalent dynamic load. Step-by-step formulas included for ball and roller bearings.

Bearing load calculator

Calculate radial and axial, and combined loads of ball or roller bearings with the help of this Bearing Load Calculator. The forces entered, the type of bearings, and the angle of loading are used to estimate the equivalent dynamic load and predict bearing life to achieve a reliable design.

Bearing load Tool Formula:

Equivalent Radial Load (P):

\[ P = X \times F_{r}\times Y \times F_{a} \]

(where P = equivalent radial load, X = radial load factor, Fr = radial load, Y = axial load factor, Fa = axial load)

The Bearing Load Calculator assists engineers, students, and technicians in analyzing the bearing loads in different conditions. Bearings are the important parts of machinery; they hold the rotating shafts and minimize friction in addition to bearing radial and axial loads.

The radial load (Fr), axial load (Fa), bearing type, and load angle (a) can be entered by the user. The calculator will calculate equivalent dynamic load (P), bearing life (L10), and stress distribution. Detailed guide solutions give formulas for radial, axial, and combined load calculation, and it is simple to design or choose suitable bearings for motors, gearboxes, pumps, and industrial equipment.

SI units are accepted: N, kN, mm, RPM. It is suitable for mechanical engineers, maintenance engineers, students, and educators who work with rotating machinery, gear trains, and mechanical systems, to make sure the correct bearing is selected, to provide correct distribution of loads, and to operate safely under the working conditions.

⚡ Work & Installation Input to Output:

Input:

  • Radial load (Fr)
  • Axial load (Fa)
  • Bearing type (ball, cylindrical, tapered, spherical)
  • Load angle (α)
  • Rotational speed (RPM) for life calculation
  • Units: N, kN, mm

Processing:

  • Compute equivalent dynamic load (P): A. For radial ball bearing: P = XFr + YFa B. X and Y are factors depending on bearing type and load ratio
  • Compute bearing life (L10): L10 = (C / P)^p × 10^6 revolutions A. C = dynamic load rating, p = 3 for ball bearing, 10/3 for roller
  • Optional: compute axial/radial stress distribution
  • Validate units and input values

Output:

  • Equivalent dynamic load (P)
  • Bearing life (L10) in millions of revolutions or hours
  • Radial and axial stress
  • Step-by-step formulas and calculations

Testing and Final Adjustments

Test common scenarios:

  • Ball bearing with Fr = 500 N, Fa = 200 N, α = 0° → compute equivalent load, L10 life
  • Tapered roller bearing with Fr = 1000 N, Fa = 500 N → verify load factors X and Y, compute P and life
  • Edge cases: pure radial, pure axial, or combined loads
  • Units validation: N ↔ kN, RPM input → life in hours
  • Step-by-step clarity for students and engineers
  • Mobile/desktop UX: numeric keypad, labels, error messages
  • Include standard bearing tables for C, static load ratings
  • SEO metadata: "Bearing Load Calculator," "Equivalent Dynamic Load," "Bearing Life," schema markup

Frequently Asked Questions - Bearing Load Calculator:

What is a bearing load?

Bearing load is the force a bearing must support, including radial and axial components.

How do I calculate equivalent dynamic load?

For ball bearings: P = XFr + YFa, where X and Y depend on bearing type and load ratio.

What is radial load?

Radial load (Fr) acts perpendicular to the bearing shaft axis.

What is axial load?

Axial load (Fa) acts along the bearing shaft axis.

How do I calculate bearing life?

L10 = (C / P)^p × 10^6 revolutions, where C is dynamic load rating and p depends on bearing type.

Which units are supported?

Forces in N or kN, dimensions in mm, rotational speed in RPM.

Can this calculator handle ball and roller bearings?

Yes, it supports ball, cylindrical, tapered, and spherical roller bearings.

Who should use this calculator?

Mechanical engineers, maintenance engineers, students, and educators working with bearings.

Why is bearing load important?

It ensures the bearing is properly sized to avoid premature failure under operating conditions.

Does it show step-by-step calculations?

Yes, formulas and intermediate steps are displayed for clarity and verification.

Md Jony Islam

Md Jony Islam

CalculatorToolsProject

Founder of Earthbondhon.com

a free online tools website designed to make everyday and engineering-related calculations easier for students, professionals, and hobbyists. The site offers a wide range of basic calculators across key categories, including Electrical Calculators, Electronic Calculators, and Time & Date Calculators.