A theoretical derivation has yielded a general expression for the operating torque of a tapered roller bearing under pure thrust load. Experimental data have been obtained to enable determination of the constant and exponents to make this expression usable. Further theoretical analysis has extended the use of the thrust load equatiorz to pure radial and combined radial and thrust loads. Comparison of calculated and measured operating torques under radial load has ver$ed the theoretical derivation.The bearing geometry variables from the basic torque equation have been combined into a G factor which represents the heat generation potential of a bearing. NOMENCLATURE a, b = exponents Di = mean cone race diameter, in Do = mean cup race diameter, in D, = pitch diameter = $ (Di + Do), in D = mean roller diameter, in ei, e, = offset of centroid of pressure distribution from geometric center of contact (see Fig. 8), in E' = combined modulus of elasticity, Ib/in2 F, = bearing thrust load, Ib F, = bearing radial load, Ib f~ = equivalent thrust load factor G = bearing geometry factor h = cone rib-roller end contact height, inJ , = SjZivall's radial integral k, k', k" = constants K = bearing K factor = ratio of basic dynamic radial load rating to basic dynamic thrust load rating 1 = roller-race contact length, in m = torque per roller Ib-in M = total bearing torque, Ib-in A typical bearing application illustrates use of ihe equations.