Bearing Calculator
Calculate bearing L10 life, dynamic load ratings, equivalent loads, defect frequencies for vibration analysis, shaft/housing fits, and DN speed limits. Free engineering tool for bearing selection and maintenance.
Calculate Bearing Specifications
From bearing catalog
Combined radial + axial load
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L10 Life Quick Guide
Life Formula:
L₁₀ = (C/P)ᵖ × 10⁶ rev
C = Dynamic load rating
P = Equivalent load
p = Life exponent
Reliability Factors (a₁)
Bearing Calculator: Complete Guide to Bearing Selection & Analysis
Our comprehensive bearing calculator helps mechanical engineers, maintenance technicians, and reliability professionals accurately size, select, and analyze bearings for any rotating machinery application. Whether you're calculating L10 bearing life, determining dynamic load ratings, computing bearing defect frequencies for vibration analysis, or checking DN speed limits, this tool provides accurate results based on ISO and industry standards.
Proper bearing selection is critical for machine reliability and uptime. An undersized bearing leads to premature failure, while an oversized bearing wastes money and may not perform optimally. This calculator covers the essential calculations needed for bearing selection, mounting, and condition monitoring.
Key Calculations
- L10 bearing life in hours and revolutions
- Required dynamic load rating (C) for target life
- Equivalent load from combined radial/axial forces
- Bearing defect frequencies (BPFO, BPFI, BSF, FTF)
- Shaft and housing interference fits
- DN value and speed limit verification
Applications
- Electric motors and generators
- Pumps, fans, and compressors
- Gearboxes and power transmission
- Machine tool spindles
- Conveyor systems
- Vibration analysis and condition monitoring
Bearing Calculation Formulas
Basic Rating Life (L10)
L₁₀ = (C/P)ᵖ × 10⁶ rev
p = 3 (ball), 10/3 (roller)
Life in Hours
L₁₀h = L₁₀ / (60 × n)
n = rotational speed (RPM)
Equivalent Load
P = X×Fr + Y×Fa
Fr = radial, Fa = axial load
BPFO (Outer Race)
BPFO = (Z/2)(1-d/D)×f
Z = balls, d = ball dia, D = pitch dia
BPFI (Inner Race)
BPFI = (Z/2)(1+d/D)×f
f = shaft frequency (Hz)
DN Value
DN = d × n
d = bore (mm), n = RPM
Bearing Types Selection Guide
| Bearing Type | Load Capacity | Speed Capability | Axial Load | Typical DN | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Groove Ball | Medium | Very High | Moderate | 500,000+ | Electric motors, pumps, general machinery |
| Angular Contact Ball | Medium-High | High | High (one direction) | 400,000 | Machine tool spindles, pumps |
| Cylindrical Roller | High | High | None/Low | 350,000 | Gearboxes, heavy machinery |
| Tapered Roller | Very High | Medium | High | 250,000 | Vehicle hubs, gearboxes, conveyors |
| Spherical Roller | Very High | Medium | Moderate | 200,000 | Mining, heavy industry, misalignment |
| Thrust Ball | Low-Medium | Medium | Very High | 150,000 | Vertical shafts, low-speed thrust |